Now this is the Law of the Jungle — as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back –
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
Indeed our traditions are as old and as true as the sky and the strength of Masonry depends on each brother and the strength of each brother may sometimes depend on the Craft. The Fortitude of each Brother toward the traditions of the Craft is what makes our future secure.
Wash daily from nose-tip to tail-tip; drink deeply, but never too deep;
And remember the night is for hunting, and forget not the day is for sleep.
Keep temperance in mind while we are indulging in our time of refreshment.
Use the 24? gauge to organize our lives and guard against vices.
The Jackal may follow the Tiger, but, Cub, when thy whiskers are grown,
Remember the Wolf is a Hunter — go forth and get food of thine own.
We must support our families when we mature. As we advance through the degrees we take on new responsibilities.
Keep peace with the Lords of the Jungle — the Tiger, the Panther, and Bear.
And trouble not Hathi the Silent, and mock not the Boar in his lair.
Prudence is one of our cardinal virtues and we should always keep it in mind.
When Pack meets with Pack in the Jungle, and neither will go from the trail,
Lie down till the leaders have spoken — it may be fair words shall prevail.
Allow our Masonic leaders to speak publicly for the Craft.
When ye fight with a Wolf of the Pack, ye must fight him alone and afar,
Lest others take part in the quarrel, and the Pack be diminished by war.
When you have disagreements with a Brother, work it out in private so as not to obstruct harmony within the lodge.
The Lair of the Wolf is his refuge, and where he has made him his home,
Not even the Head Wolf may enter, not even the Council may come.
Respect the family of another Mason.
The Lair of the Wolf is his refuge, but where he has digged it too plain,
The Council shall send him a message, and so he shall change it again.
Whispering good council in a Brother?s ear is a correct thing and taking that good council is encouraged.
If ye kill before midnight, be silent, and wake not the woods with your bay,
Lest ye frighten the deer from the crop, and your brothers go empty away.
Keep in mind the interests of your Brothers as they will also keep yours in mind.
Ye may kill for yourselves, and your mates, and your cubs as they need, and ye can;
But kill not for pleasure of killing, and seven times never kill Man!
The secrets of your brothers are to be kept, but murder and treason are excepted. Violations of Masonic law shall be dealt with by certain and immediate justice.
If ye plunder his Kill from a weaker, devour not all in thy pride;
Pack-Right is the right of the meanest; so leave him the head and the hide.
Always consider giving charity for the less fortunate.
The Kill of the Pack is the meat of the Pack. Ye must eat where it lies;
And no one may carry away of that meat to his lair, or he dies.
Theft from a Lodge will be dealt with by nothing less than expulsion.
The Kill of the Wolf is the meat of the Wolf. He may do what he will;
But, till he has given permission, the Pack may not eat of that Kill.
Charity will not be mandatory but will be given freely within the length of a Brothers cabletow.
Cub-Right is the right of the Yearling. From all of his Pack he may claim
Full-gorge when the killer has eaten; and none may refuse him the same.
Lair-Right is the right of the Mother. From all of her year she may claim
One haunch of each kill for her litter, and none may deny her the same.
A Brothers obligation includes charity to the widow and the orphan of a Brother.
Cave-Right is the right of the Father — to hunt by himself for his own:
He is freed of all calls to the Pack; he is judged by the Council alone.
A brother should put the care of his family first, and should not neglect them in favor of his Lodge responsibilities.
Because of his age and his cunning, because of his gripe and his paw,
In all that the Law leaveth open, the word of your Head Wolf is Law.
A Brother should always respect directions given by the Master if within the length of his cabletow.
Now these are the Laws of the Jungle, and many and mighty are they;
But the head and the hoof of the Law and the haunch and the hump is ? Obey.
Kipling compares the laws of our Craft with the laws of the wolf in the jungle. These include Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice.
Neil
Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read.
No sentence fragments.
It behooves us to avoid archaisms.
Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration.
Don’t use no double negatives.
If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times: Resist hyperbole
Avoid commas, that are not necessary.
Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Writing carefully, dangling participles should not be used.
Kill all exclamation points!!!
How dear the kind, fraternal tie
That binds each manly heart,
Though sorrows fill the weeping eye,
Or joys their charm impart!
How dear, to Brothers good and true,
The plighted word that tells
Of trusting thoughts that spring anew
Where’er a true heart dwells!
The pledge that holds the willing ear,
The whispered word that’s given,
Are kindly blessings gathered here,
To ripen yet in Heaven;
For He, whose promise never fails,
Lights up the holy fire,
To guide us on, through sorrow’s vales,
And highest thoughts inspire.
Let altars of immortal Truth
Receive our willing vows,
The fairest gem of hopeful youth,
Or age that feebly bows:
When years on years have calmly passed,
And sorrows come no more,
Be each true Brother found, at last,
Upon a happier shore.
Thomas Power, 1844
Past Grand Secretary
Grand Lodge of Massachusettes
June of 2011 brings the excitement of the Atlantic Brotherhood Summit here in the Twin Cities. Minnesota’s new Sir Winston Churchill Lodge is hosting brethren from the UK’s global Internet Lodge #9659, who are traveling to the US on a group excursion. An exceptional series of events is planned for the benefit of all Masons. Guests, including Cinosam readers, are invited to join in and register for one or more of these events.
Highlights include a St. Croix River sunset boat cruise and dinner; a much-anticipated Festive Board with toasts and songs to be held at the elegant Minneapolis Club; and a first-ever exemplification of the English Masonic Ritual, “Emulation Working” at the Minneapolis Scottish Rite Temple. A question-and-answer discussion led by Masonic scholars will follow the degree exemplification, along with coffee, tea and a selection of English biscuits. The group has a reserved block of hotel rooms set aside for your convenience, should you be traveling from some distance.
Details for each of these events are posted on the Churchill Lodge website, along with two ways to register: an RSVP form and an online system using PayPal. Some events will require a fee to cover expenses. The brethren of Sir Winston Churchill Lodge invite any regular Masons to join them in this 4-day celebration of Masonic brotherhood and hope you will help them welcome up to forty traveling English Masons who will be here June 2-5. Save the Dates!
]]>
There is a granite outcropping in the middle of nowhere in South-central Wyoming called ?Independence Rock?. This giant stone bolder was a travel marker for the pioneers heading west on the Oregon Trail, the California Trail and the Mormon Trail. The trail bosses knew that if the travelers made it to Independence Rock by the 4th of July, they had a good chance of getting over the Rocky Mountains before the winter snow blocked the path. The pioneers would rest at the site over Independence Day and some climbed the rock and chiseled their names along with the date into the rock. Many carved names can still be seen.
On July 4th 1862, a number of Freemasons heading west on the trails climbed to the top of the Rock and opened Lodge. This was the first Lodge meeting held in what is now Wyoming. To commemorate this event, the members of the Grand Lodge of Wyoming climb the Rock every 10 years on the 4th and open a formal Lodge
This year I had the privilege, along with 200 other Masons from Wyoming and around the Nation, to join the Grand Lodge for this celebration. Many camped there overnight and all enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie of meeting together on the level. This was an Independence day that I will not forget. ????.. Neil
]]>
Check out this video posted by WCVB TV
in Boston concerning Masonic Officers Jewels
made by Paul Revere that have just been found.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/23697135/index.html
?Lawrence N. Greenleaf.
Note:
Lawrence Nichols Greenleaf, of Denver, known as the Pioneer Poet, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, October 4, 1838. Upon retiring from the mercantile business he became the publisher of the Square and Compass, a Masonic monthly, which he conducted for twenty-five years. His contributions in prose and poetry have been Masonic in sentiment and have been widely copied. He was active in the Masonic fraternity for more than forty-six years, having presided over lodge, chapter, council and commandery, while in the grand bodies he has filled the offices of grand master, grand high priest and grand master of the Royal & Select Masters. He is a thirty-third degree Mason and was the deputy of the inspector general in Colorado, and he has presided over the various bodies of the Scottish Rite, yet all this comprises but a small part of the many positions he has filled. As merchant, as Mason, as editor and writer of prose and poetry.
Though the origin of Flag Day dates back to the late 19th century, its inspiration takes us further back to 1777. On June 14th of that year, in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress passed a resolution specifying that the flag carry 13 stripes and 13 stars. The colors would represent hardiness and valor (red), purity and innocence (white), and vigilance, perseverance and justice (blue).
The concept of a specific day to annually recognize the American Flag came 108 years later. In 1885, a Fredonia, Wisconsin schoolteacher, B.J. Cigrand, arranged for the students in his school district to observe the resolution on June 14th as ?Flag Birthday?. In 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, planned similar festivities for his school?s students.
In 1893, Philadelphia became the first city to celebrate Flag Day, and in the following year, New York was the first state to observe June 14th. After decades of expanding community observances, President Woodrow Wilson
established Flag Day on May 30, 1916. Still many communities did not celebrate Flag Day. It wasn?t until 1949, when President Harry Truman signed into an Act of Congress that National Flag Day be observed every June 14th. The Unites States Flag Code, as adopted by Congress, states ?The flag
represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.? This is why we should give the flag our full respect.
Flag Day is celebrated on June 14.
]]>
Bro. Joe Curry is a member of the Beaches Lodge #473 GRC who is currently serving in Afghanistan. Attached is a report from him and a picture of the first Lodge (Canada Lodge U.D.) meeting in Kandahar.
(Sent to Cinosam by W. Bro. Dan Eidt)
Brethren,
Last night (May25th) the brethren of Canada Lodge U.D. were visiting the Widow’s Son Military Lodge #202, a Prince Hall Lodge here in KAF. While lodge was about to open in the 3rd, KAF came under attack. We are regularly attacked by indirect fire from rockets, but last night in concert with indirect fire there was a frontal ground attack on the base and we received word that the perimeter had been breached. The Worshipful Master calmly directed the Tyler to lock the door and put a round in the chamber of his M-4. This was done and we continued with the sound of warning sirens and and explosions outside (when there is a rocket attack we are to stay under shelter anyway).
I am quite certain that in the history of Masonry the door of the lodge has rarely been Tyled in this way.
I am glad to report that I am safe, and that while there were Canadians injured last night in the attack last night, we did not suffer any loss of life.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Bro Joe Curry
]]>
Here’s what happened when the silver ran out in a small Colorado town.The memorial reads:
“In this valley the towns of Robinson, Kokomo and Recen existed. Kokomo was the site of the Highest Masonic Lodge In the U.S.A. Corinthian Lodge No. 42 A.F. & A.M. 1882-1966 Elevation 10,618 feet”
Here is a poem by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936). It describes the diversity and brotherly love of his Lodge in India.
The Mother Lodge
There was Rundle, Station Master,
An’ Beazeley of the Rail,
An’ ‘Ackman, Commissariat,
An’ Donkin’ o’ the Jail;
An’ Blake, Conductor-Sargent,
Our Master twice was ‘e,
With ‘im that kept the Europe-shop,
Old Framjee Eduljee.
Outside ? “Sergeant! Sir! Salute! Salaam!”
Inside ? “Brother”, an’ it doesn’t do no ‘arm.
We met upon the Level an’ we parted on the Square,
An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge out there!
We’d Bola Nath, Accountant,
An’ Saul the Aden Jew,
An’ Din Mohammed, draughtsman
Of the Survey Office too;
There was Babu Chuckerbutty,
An’ Amir Singh the Sikh,
An’ Castro from the fittin’-sheds,
The Roman Catholick!
We ‘adn’t good regalia,
An’ our Lodge was old an’ bare,
But we knew the Ancient Landmarks,
An’ we kep’ ‘em to a hair;
An’ lookin’ on it backwards
It often strikes me thus,
There ain’t such things as infidels,
Excep’, per’aps, it’s us.
For monthly, after Labour,
We’d all sit down and smoke
(We dursn’t give no banquits,
Lest a Brother’s caste were broke),
An’ man on man got talkin’
Religion an’ the rest,
An’ every man comparin’
Of the God ‘e knew the best.
So man on man got talkin’,
An’ not a Brother stirred
Till mornin’ waked the parrots
An’ that dam’ brain-fever-bird;
We’d say ’twas ‘ighly curious,
An’ we’d all ride ‘ome to bed,
With Mo’ammed, God, an’ Shiva
Changin’ pickets in our ‘ead.
Full oft on Guv’ment service
This rovin’ foot ‘ath pressed,
An’ bore fraternal greetin’s
To the Lodges east an’ west,
Accordin’ as commanded
From Kohat to Singapore,
But I wish that I might see them
In my Mother-Lodge once more!
I wish that I might see them,
My Brethren black an’ brown,
With the trichies smellin’ pleasant
An’ the hog-darn passin’ down;
An’ the old khansamah snorin’
On the bottle-khana floor,
Like a Master in good standing
With my Mother-Lodge once more!
Outside ? “Sergeant! Sir! Salute! Salaam!”
Inside ? “Brother”, an’ it doesn’t do no ‘arm.
We met upon the Level an’ we parted on the Square,
An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge out there!
Sir:
Permit the children of the stock of Abraham to approach you with the most cordial affection and esteem for your person and merits ? and to join with our fellow citizens in welcoming you to Newport.
With pleasure we reflect on those days ? those days of difficulty, and danger, when the God of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, ? shielded Your head in the day of battle: ? and we rejoice to think, that the same Spirit, who rested in the Bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel enabling him to preside over the Provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests and ever will rest, upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these States.
Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People ? a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance ? but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: ? deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental Machine: ? This so ample and extensive Federal Union whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual confidence and Public Virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God, who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good.
For all these Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient of Days, the great preserver of Men ? beseeching him, that the Angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the promised Land, may graciously conduct you through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life: ? And, when, like Joshua full of days and full of honor, you are gathered to your Fathers, may you be admitted into the Heavenly Paradise to partake of the water of life, and the tree of immortality.
Done and Signed by order of the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island August 17th 1790.
Moses Seixas, Warden
The letter from George Washington in response to Moses Seixas
To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island.
Gentlemen,
While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and happy people.
The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
G. Washington
]]>