Monday, January 30, 2012

Clandestine

By working with the public, I often have the opportunity to meet so-called Masons who I later discover to be clandestine Masons. Sometimes it takes a little investigation on my part unless I see some unfamiliar square and compass displayed.

The definition of clandestine is: to be kept or done in secrecy in order to conceal an illicit or improper purpose. The Masonic definition is basically a lodge and it's members who are not officially recognized by the Grand Jurisdiction of Michigan.

In my research of these "clandestine" lodges they seem to be more prevalent in the African-American communities. The "mainstream" organization in the African-American community is of course Prince Hall Affiliated or PHA, they are recognized by the Grand Jurisdiction of Michigan along with roughly 39 other Grand Jurisdictions.

Today I met a gentleman who belongs to the Universal Masonic Brotherhood and Order of the Eastern Star, I've also met some International Masons....their square and compass has a skeleton key at the bottom of the square and compass.

In talking to these men it becomes apparent early in the conversation that they are close but not on the same level as those who belong to mainstream Masonic organizations. They have always been gentlemen and probably very good men who believe in what they are doing, unfortunately they have been led astray.

Often these organizations have some type of "life insurance" tied to membership. My research has also pointed out that these so-called lodges prey on people who for whatever reason have not sought membership in the mainstream lodges. As I mentioned before most of these men are probably good citizens and do good charitable work in their communities.....but in talking with them you quickly learn that they have not obtained the same knowledge we have.

When we take our obligation for the MM degree we probably think that we will never have occasion to meet a "clandestine" Mason.....but they are closer than you think. Just be prepared for the meeting, learn from it and appreciate the wonderful lessons we are taught.

Friday, January 27, 2012







1 Kings 5 >>
New American Standard Bible ©
 

Alliance with King Hiram
1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David. 2 Then Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, 3 “You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. 4 “But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune. 5 “Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.’ 6 “Now therefore, command that they cut for me cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”
7 When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people.” 8 So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message which you have sent me; I will do what you desire concerning the cedar and cypress timber. 9 “My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place where you direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away. Then you shall accomplish my desire by giving food to my household.” 10 So Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desired of the cedar and cypress timber. 11 Solomon then gave Hiram 20,000 kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of beaten oil; thus Solomon would give Hiram year by year. 12 The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.
Conscription of Laborers
13 Now King Solomon levied forced laborers from all Israel; and the forced laborers numbered 30,000 men. 14 He sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in relays; they were in Lebanon a month and two months at home. And Adoniram was over the forced laborers. 15 Now Solomon had 70,000 transporters, and 80,000 hewers of stone in the mountains, 16 besides Solomon’s 3,300 chief deputies who were over the project and who ruled over the people who were doing the work. 17 Then the king commanded, and they quarried great stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with cut stones. 18 So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the Gebalites cut them, and prepared the timbers and the stones to build the house.


New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

I was looking up hewn squared and stumbled upon this cool picture and very interesting Biblical text.....it displays some interesting parallells to a couple of the degrees......while our allegory is loosely based on scripture and references the above is certainly interesting reading....Dave

After safely conducting the children of Israel............


 "IN GOD WE TRUST"
A new way to think
about how Moses fed everyone...
Read and feel comforted.
Amazing Data on Moses
Moses and the people were in the desert,
but what was he going to do with them?
They had to be fed,
and feeding 2 or 3 million people
require a lot of food.
According to the Quartermaster General
In the Army, it is reported
that Moses would have to have had
1500 tons of food each day.
Do you know that to bring
that much food each day,
two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required!
Besides you must remember,
they were out in the desert,
so they would have to have firewood
to use in cooking the food.
This would take 4000 tons of wood
and a few more freight trains,
each a mile long, just for one day.
And just think,
they were forty years in transit.
And Oh yes! They would have to have water.
If they only had enough to drink
and wash a few dishes,
it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day
and a freight train with tank cars,
1800 miles long, just to bring water!
And then another thing!
They had to get across the Red Sea at night.
Now, if they went on a narrow path,
double file, the line would be 800 miles long
and would require 35 days and nights
to get through.
So there had to be a space in the Red Sea,
3 miles wide so that they could walk
5000 abreast to get over in one night.
But then, there is another problem...
each time they camped at the end of the day,
a campground two-thirds the size
of the state of Rhode Island was required,
or a total of 750 square miles long.
Think of it! This much space for camping.
Do you think Moses figured all this out
before he left Egypt ? I think not!
You see, Moses believed in God.
God took care of these things for him.

Friday, January 20, 2012

The Four Cardinal Virtues...easier said than done

Cardinal virtues

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Christian tradition there are 4 cardinal virtues:
  • Prudence - able to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time
  • Justice - proper moderation between self-interest and the rights and needs of others
  • Restraint or Temperance - practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation
  • Courage or Fortitude - forbearance, endurance, and ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation
These were derived initially from Plato's scheme (see Protagoras 330b, which also includes piety (hosiotes)) and adapted by Saint Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas (see Summa Theologica II(I).61). The term "cardinal" comes from the Latin cardo or hinge; the cardinal virtues are so called because they are hinges upon which the door of the moral life swings.

The Cardinal virtues as depicted on the tomb of Pope Clement II in Bamberg Cathedral
Iustitia (justice) Fortitudo (fortitude) Prudentia (prudence) Temperantia (temperance)
Iustitia Papstgrab Bamberg aus Gottfried Henschen u Daniel Papebroch 1747.jpg Fortitudo Papstgrab Bamberg aus Gottfried Henschen u Daniel Papebroch 1747.jpg Sapientia Papstgrab Bamberg aus Gottfried Henschen u Daniel Papebroch 1747.jpg Temperantia Papstgrab Bamberg aus Gottfried Henschen u Daniel Papebroch 1747.jpg
Plato identified them with the classes of the city described in The Republic, and with the faculties of man. Temperance was common to all classes, but primarily associated with the producing classes, the farmers and craftsmen, and with the animal appetites, to whom no special virtue was assigned; fortitude was assigned to the warrior class and to the spirited element in man; prudence to the rulers and to reason. Justice stands outside the class system and divisions of man, and rules the proper relationship among the three of them.
It may have been taken up from there into Jewish philosophy; Wisdom 8:7 reads, "She [Wisdom] teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life.
It was certainly taken up in Christianity, as St. Augustine, discussing the morals of the church, described them:
For these four virtues (would that all felt their influence in their minds as they have their names in their mouths!), I should have no hesitation in defining them: that temperance is love giving itself entirely to that which is loved; fortitude is love readily bearing all things for the sake of the loved object; justice is love serving only the loved object, and therefore ruling rightly; prudence is love distinguishing with sagacity between what hinders it and what helps it.
These "cardinal" virtues are not the same as the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity (see 1 Corinthians 13). Together, they comprise what is known as the seven virtues, also known as the theological virtues.


Hand Colored Print of the Four Cardinal Virtues
FourCardinalVirtues1.jpg (50125 bytes)
Temperance            Prudence               Fortitude                   Justice   
This beautiful hand-colored print depicts the Four Cardinal Virtues, the practice of which is inculcated in the First or Entered Apprentice Degree of Freemasonry and are thus explained.
Temperance - The Freemason who properly appreciates the secrets which he has solemnly promised never to revel, will not, by yielding to the unrestrained call of appetite, permit reason and judgment to lose their seats, and subject himself, by the indulgence in habits of excess, to discover that which should be concealed, and thus merit and receive the scorn and detestation of his Brethren.  And lest any Brother should forget the danger to which he is exposed in the unguarded hours of dissipation, the virtue of temperance is wisely impressed upon his memory, by its reference to one of the most solemn portions of the ceremony of initiation.  Some Freemasons, very properly condemning the vice of intemperance and abhorring its effects, have been unwisely led to confound temperance with total abstinence in a Masonic application, and resolutions have sometimes been proposed in Grand Lodges which declare the use of stimulating liquors in any quantity a Masonic offense.  But the law of Freemasonry authorizes no such regulation.  It leaves to every man the indulgence of his own tastes within due limits, and demands not abstinence, but only moderation and temperance, in anything not actually wrong.
Fortitude - instructs the worthy Freemason to bear the ills of life with becoming resignation, "taking up arms against a sea of trouble," but, by its intimate connection with a portion of our ceremonies, it teaches the candidate to let no dangers shake, no pains dissolve the inviolable fidelity he owes to the trusts reposed in him.  Or, in the words of the old Prestonian lecture, it is "a fence or security against any attack that might be made upon him by force or otherwise, to extort from him any of our Royal Secrets."
Prudence - Preston first introduced it into the Entered Apprentice Degree as referring to what was then, and long before had been called the Four Principal Signs, but which are now known as the Perfect Points of Entrance. Preston's eulogium on prudence differs from that used in the lectures of the United States, which was composed by Webb.  It is in these words:   "Prudence is the true guide to human understanding, and consists in judging and determining with propriety what is to be said or done upon all our occasions, what dangers we should endeavor to avoid, and how to act in all our difficulties."
Justice - The Freemason who remembers how emphatically he has been charged to preserve an upright position in all his dealings with mankind, should never fail to act justly to himself, to his Brethren, and to the world.  This is the corner-stone on which alone he can expect "to erect a superstructure alike honorable to himself and to the Fraternity."  In iconology, the general science pertaining to images, Justice is usually represented as a matron, her eyes bandaged, holding in one hand a sword and in the other a pair of scales at equipoise.  But in Freemasonry the true symbol of Justice, as illustrated in the First Degree, is the feet firmly planted on the ground, and the body upright.
 
     
Copyrighted © 1999 - 2010   Phoenixmasonry, Inc.      The Fine Print

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Enjoy brothers

 The origins of the

Golden FleeceRoman Eagle Star and Garter 

Presented at Shelby Lodge  #  662,  F.&.A.M. Waddy, Kentucky
by Bro. Steve Case

as they apply to the lambskin or white leather apron of a Mason 
and the meaning thus conveyed in the Entered Apprentice’s lecture
 
Brothers, a couple of months ago I was assisting another brother in studying for his proficiency on the Entered Apprentice’s Degree.  That brother would ask, on several occasions, for more information on just what the Golden Fleece, the Roman Eagle, and the Star and Garter meant as it related to the “Badge” of a Mason. 
I will have to admit that my answer was somewhat lacking in detail.  My answer and the answer of another brother present was something along the lines of “they are ancient and honorable orders bestowed upon some individual who has done some great deed.”  But even as I spoke the words, it seemed to me to be an answer lacking in some detail.  I could also tell that our Entered Apprentice was still looking for more information.  Therefore, I have done some research on the topic and hope I can now give a better answer. 
While I did utilize our little library here in the Lodge, the Encyclopedia, and Webster’s Dictionary for source materials, my best source of information actually came from an article on the Internet.  It turns out that Bro. Steven W. Sanford of Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, had already worked up an article on just this topic.  I hereby freely acknowledge his work and thank him for making it available to other brothers. 
Brothers, during your EA Degree you were presented with a lambskin or white leather apron and were told that it, quote; “is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other order that could be conferred upon you at that time, or at any future period, by King, Prince, Potentate, or any other person except he be a Mason.” 
From time immemorial, symbolic emblems, medals, and high orders of recognition were created by those in power to recognize outstanding individuals and to create orders of honor and chivalry.
Golden Fleece    Return to TOP

“More ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle.” Sounds like something we may have learned about in high school, in Greek Mythology from “Homer and the Iliad” with Jason and the Argonauts performing a heroic deed in rescuing the Golden Fleece in 939 BC.  Well, you are right.  Mythology holds that the Golden Fleece was supposed by the Greeks to be hidden in a remote land far across the trackless sea. This precious fleece grew upon the back of a ram, the gift of one of their gods. The ram was constantly guarded by bulls that breathed fire and by a dragon that never slept. The promise to the Greeks was (or so the fable went) that if they could find and recover the Golden Fleece and bring it to Greece, wealth and prosperity would abound in that country. The hope of redeeming that promise led to the formation of an order which embraced in its membership many of the most illustrious men of that period, who were called Argonauts from the name of the ship, Argo, on which they sailed. Tradition is replete with the daring deeds and suffering of those men in the cause in which they enlisted.  
Somewhat later, in England, Philip, the Duke of Burgundy, founded the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1429 as an Order equal to the English “Star and Garter” as a means to keep alive chivalry, to honor old knights, and as a means to tie this Order to his title, which would in turn extend his heritage.   The name of the Order and its badge, a pendant sheep’s fleece made of gold, was a new device for the House of Burgundy and was certainly intended to represent the fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts, an heroic legend which paralleled the Arthurian origins of the Order of the Garter. The adoption of a pagan image as the badge of a Christian Order led to a protest by the Order’s first Chancellor, Jean Germain, Bishop of Nevers, who preferred that it should recall Gideon’s fleece (which was neither gold nor a prize for courage). Later in the century, Chancellor Guillame Filastes added the fleeces of Jacob, Mesa, Job and David to be associated with this image, making six in all and supposedly corresponding to the virtues of magnanimity, justice, prudence, fidelity, patience and clemency. The badge was to be suspended from a Collar adapted from an earlier livery badge to that of a Fire-Steel or (fusil).
 
Roman Eagle      Return to TOP

The Roman Eagle became the symbol of imperial power about a century before Christ.  It was the most prominent fixture or symbol throughout the Roman Empire intending to remind everyone as to who was in power and it preceded all Roman armies when marching to and from battle.

But, the ritual use of the Apron has a much earlier history than these.  The Bible mentions a garment worn by the High Priest, called the Ephod, described as an apron or skirt covering the body from the waist down, and made of white linen with shoulder straps, possibly a bib. It also had a "girdle", described by the Bible as "curious," with no other details. Elijah and John the Baptist wore aprons of leather.  Isaiah wore an apron of hair-cloth.  Jeremiah wore an apron of Linen.  The ancient Druids wore a white apron for the sacred duty of cutting mistletoe.  Priests of the Roman gods wore white when making sacrifices.  It is obvious that these various faiths chose a white garment to symbolize the importance of purity of heart when going about the work of God.  To us, as Speculative Masons, it is a reminder of our very ancient and divine heritage.
Star and Garter     Return to TOP

Our ritual goes on to describe the apron as being "more honorable than the Star and Garter or any other order that can be conferred”.   King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter in 1348 as a noble fraternity consisting of the King, the Prince of Wales and 24 Knights Companion.  One picturesque version of its founding tells of King Edward at a ball where a lady lost one of her garters.  Bending down to pick it up, the lady blushing and those present laughing, the King remarked, "Honi Soit Qui Mal y
” meaning “dishonor to him who thinks evil of it.” He tied it around his own leg and vowed to turn it into the most honored garter ever worn.  Since its inception, it remains to this day as the highest Order of English Chivalry.  The Order of the Star, created by King John II of France in 1351, was an imitation of the English Order.  The apron as professed by our fraternity confers a greater honor than the very highest orders of chivalry.  But, it also requires an extremely high standard of conduct for he who would dare to wear this emblem.

These Orders do not have much meaning to our present day society, however, during those time periods; non-masons considered these orders to be the ultimate honor that could be bestowed upon individuals.  High honors that we can all identify with today, range from the Medal of Honor to the Nobel Peace Prize.  Either way, our Masonic Fraternity wants each Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason to know that from the very beginning of their Masonic journey, that the ultimate honor that can ever be bestowed upon them is their white leather apron.

In Europe, the practice is that upon initiation you are given an unblemished white leather apron (as we do), and as you progress in the Lodge you are allowed to sew Masonic emblems and symbols of offices you held upon it.  Also each lodge has chosen specific colors for the border of the apron to identify their lodge from others.  Essentially it becomes your own personal visual Masonic record.
 Ending Comments

Brother Sanford, from Fredericksburg Lodge # 4, comments that it is much too easy for us to attach symbols to our lapels, come to lodge, and tie an apron about our waist without pausing to give these emblems even the slightest passing thought.  And finally my Brethren, over the centuries, and in our various lodges throughout the world, we see many varied and ornate aprons.  But remember my Brothers, there is nothing; I repeat nothing, which confers a greater honor than the plain white lambskin that you were presented with upon your initiation as an Entered Apprentice, which you will wear on that journey from who’s borne no man returns, and to that temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Return to TOP
Back to Solomon's Lodge home page click here.
 

Boaz and Jachin

Two brass pillars named Boaz and Jachin stood in the porch of the Temple. (1 Kings 7:15; 7:21; 2 Kings 11:14; 23:3). Boaz stood on the left (the north) and Jachin on the right (the south). The Bible records their measurements as 27 feet (8.2 m) high and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide (18 by 12 cubits) with a hollow of 4 fingers thick. (Jeremiah 52:21-22). Their 8-foot (2.4 m) high brass capitals were each decorated with rows of 200 carved brass pomegranates, wreathed with seven chains and topped with lilies. (1 Kings 7:13-22, 41-42; 2 Chronicles 4:13) According to most translations of 1 Kings 7:13-22, these two pillars were cast of brass, though some believe the original Hebrew word used to describe their material, "nehosheth", is actually either bronze or copper, because the Hebrews were unfamiliar with zinc which, along with copper, is required to create brass. The two pillars had their parallel not only at Tyre but at Byblus, Paphos, and Telloh. Jachin and Boaz were really isolated columns, and not, as some have supposed, a part of the ornamentation of the building. Their tops were crowned with ornamentation as if they were lamps; and it is believed that they may have been used as fire-altars. This assumes that they contained cressets for burning the fat.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

More Words..........

Good Morning Brothers......traveled to Goodrich Lodge last night for a Fellowcraft Degree. A real enjoyable evening in Masonry. While talking with WB Gil we discussed some words and their meanings, this conversation was spurred by our discussion yesterday about inviolate.....thus the definitions shared today.

I'm sure that most of you have heard.............evinces the admirable contrivance of nature

Evince.....to show clearly; make evident or manifest; prove
               to reveal the possession of a quality, trait, etc...

Admirable....inspiring approval, reverence or affection; excellent; first-rate

Contrivance....something contrived; a device, especially a mechanical one
                      obviously planned

Nature...the universe, with all its phenomena

In conclusion this phrase deals with the eye....not only in man but in all of nature's creation it deals with the structure of the eye and it's appurtenances......a term for what belongs to and goes with and less significant than what it belongs to....that's a bonus definition brothers....so lets sum all this up

.....clearly shows and proves the first-rate quality of this mechanical device in the phenomena of nature

the eye is probably never thought of as mechanical but it is a mechanical device of nature....consisting of various forms of tissue, cells, etc....most creatures have eyes or some type of visual device......ponder well the lessons of this hour my brothers........

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Inviolate

Most of us have heard the phrase .....keep a brother's secret inviolate......just what does this mean. Also, many of us have heard it expressed as in-violet.....a common mispronunciation. Well after a little research here is the break down of the word inviolate.

Inviolate.....not violated or profaned...to keep pure
         violated.......to break or disregard
               profane......to treat with abuse, irreverence, or contempt....to disregard

So.......keep a brother's secret inviolate........is to keep a brother's secret pure and well regarded.

As we have talked before the framers and authors of the ritual used words that are distinct and hold very deep meanings. Notice I used present tense, because through the ages those chosen words still ring true today and teach very valuable lessons to all of us in the craft.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Rote Learning ????

Rote learning is a learning technique which focuses on memorization. The major practice involved in rote learning is learning by repetition by which students commit information to memory in a highly structured way. The idea is that one will be able to quickly recall the meaning of the material the more one repeats it. Alternatives to rote learning include Associative learning and Active learning.


With some material rote learning is the only way to learn it in a short time; for example, when learning the Greek alphabet or lists of vocabulary words.[citation needed] Similarly, when learning the conjugation of foreign irregular verbs, the morphology is often too subtle to be learned explicitly in a short time. However, as in the alphabet example, learning where the alphabet came from may help one to grasp the concept of it and therefore memorize it. (Native speakers and speakers with a lot of experience usually get an intuitive grasp of those subtle rules and are able to conjugate even irregular verbs that they have never heard before.)
The source transmission could be auditory or visual, and is usually in the form of short bits such as rhyming phrases (but rhyming is not a prerequisite), rather than chunks of text large enough to make lengthy paragraphs. Brevity is not always the case with rote learning. For example, many Americans can recite their National Anthem, or even the much more lengthy Preamble to the United States Constitution. Their ability to do so can be attributed, at least in some part, to having been assimilated by rote learning. The repeated stimulus of hearing it recited in public, on TV, at a sporting event, etc. has caused the mere sound of the phrasing of the words and inflections to be "written", as if hammer-to-stone, into the long-term memory. Excessive repetition within a limited time frame can actually be counter-productive to learning, through an effect termed semantic satiation.

The above definitions are from the web based Wikipedia.

In Lodge we use "rote" learning almost exclusively. In fact when we buckle down and start working on a particular portion of the ritual we are amazed at how some parts come easily to us.....those are the parts that for whatever reason have stood out in the numerous lectures we have heard. Quite often murmuring is heard from the sidelines when words, phrases, sentences get exchanged and are not recited in the "proper" order.


There has been much discussion about the role of the DDI and their usefulness. I for one am a very strong proponent for the function of the DDI. He is an invaluable asset in ensuring that the proper words are being spoken at the proper time when conferring the degrees. Thus it is vitally important that we do the very best we can when conferring the degrees and presenting the teachings of the fraternity. While the same message may be conveyed, it's important that they portrayed accurately.......the framers and authors of the ritual wrote it in a very specific way and used words which are very specific and accurate to the meaning they meant to convey.


Brothers, just because we have heard things for weeks, months, or years doesn't make it accurate.....study the ritual and unlock the mysteries within.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Very Powerful

The Silent Summons

A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, had stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
...
Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I’ll be back in our Lodge next meeting.”
– Author Unknown