Posted by Ben
The Winding Staircase
2023
2022
2021
- 01 January - A Pleasing Concord
- 02 February - Canada's Three-Penny Beaver - A Masonic stamp
- 02 February - Social Media & Freemasons 2021
- 03 March - Exploring the Tracing Boards
- 03 March - Pathological Palaver
- 04 April - So Work the Honeybees
- 05 May - Birdwatching in Masonry
- 06 June - Looking into the Eye of Providence
- 07 July - Tenets Are BetterThan Ninets
- 08 August - Letters in the Sand
- 09 September - Who was Jephthah
- 12 December - Memorial Service
2020
2019
- 01 January - Step Eleven
- 02 February - Step Twelve
- 03 March - Step Thirteen
- 04 April - Step Fourteen
- 05 May - Step Fifteen
- 06 June - Did you know?
- 07 July - Symbol and an Icon
- 08 August - Squares and Circles
- 09 September - Ritual:Beyond Memorization
- 10 October - Masonic Allegiance to Our Flag
- 11 November - Importance of Attending Lodge
2018
Posted by Ben
Some things you may not know about Freemasonry
Freemasonry is not a religion.
Freemasonry perhaps has the look of a religion. You think of religion as ritual, there’s also this ritual element. But there are no priests; there are no ministers, rabbis, no system of clergy of any sort. Everybody’s their own thinker. There are certain subjects that are not open for discussion within the lodge. Religion is one, politics is the other.
Atheists are not welcome.
Freemasonry is not a religion but agnostics or atheists cannot belong. A belief in a Supreme Being is necessary. So could an atheist join? The reason we want somebody that has a belief in a supreme being is because we take certain obligations to be a good man, to support the fraternity and the community. If you don’t have a belief in a supreme being, the obligation would be meaningless.
Most of the Founding Fathers were NOT Freemasons.
Two of America’s earliest presidents, George Washington and James Monroe, were Freemasons, as were Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and Paul Revere. But many leading figures in the American Revolution — including John and Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Thomas Paine — were not Masons. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, only nine were confirmed Masons, and of the 39 delegates of the Continental Congress who signed the draft of our nation’s Constitution in 1787, only 13 (one-third) were Freemasons.
There are NO secret Masonic symbols on the U.S. dollar bill.
The back of the dollar bill features an incomplete pyramid with an ‘all seeing eye’ on top of it. Many people say it’s a Masonic symbol, but that’s not the case. These symbols have been used by many different groups, including Masons, throughout history.
The Shriners are Freemasons.
The Shriners (known formally as the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) the charity organization best known in the popular mind for driving tiny cars in parades are an off-shoot of Freemasonry. They support 22 children’s hospitals where patients don’t pay a cent for medical care and Doctor’s services.
The secret Masonic password originated as a job tool.
Masonry began as a guild for stone masons who built the castles, cathedrals, and public buildings of Medieval Europe. If you were a baker, a miller, a brewer, you could spend your entire life in one village practicing your trade. If you were a mason, after they repaired the church or built the town hall, there might not be any mason work in that town for decades, so you had to move on to another jobsite.
Back then, you as a tradesman were most likely illiterate; perhaps the officers of the lodge were also illiterate. That’s why the ‘Masons word’ came into effect. It allowed the craftsmen to move from one jobsite to another and identify themselves as being part of the trade union. There is evidence in Scotland going back to the early 1600’s that the Masons’ word existed. That was how you as a Mason in Edinburgh could identify yourself to a Mason in Lancashire that you were a member of the guild and could have work. Are there secret handshakes? Oh, secret handshakes, of course. What’s the point of having a password if you don’t have a handshake?
Read MorePosted by Ben
A Tribute to the District Deputy
Right Worshipful James Ned Culler was a dedicated 40 year member of Tuckahoe Lodge. Ned passed away on May 2nd 2010 after a brief illness. Brother Ned and members of the Lodge celebrated his 98th birthday in January when he read a poem he penned. Actually it seemed as though Ned was always working on a new poem, and he would share them with us individually, and at our meetings. Ned’s talent was very special, and we have created a special page on the Tuckahoe website with samples of his creative talents.
The poem that follows was an original work by R.W. J. Ned Culler, and was recited by him in Tuckahoe Lodge on January 4, 2001. The inspiring recitation was occasioned by the official visit to his home lodge by R.W. Robert W. Carpenter, Jr., District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District 15-C. R.W. Ned and R.W. William Y. Roper, III, proudly presented R.W. Bro. Bob to the W.M., members, and visitor’s assembled.
Brother Ned added a verse in honor of the newest District Deputy from Tuckahoe Lodge. On the evening of December 2, 2004 he recited a quatrain (*) in honor of R.W. Robert C. Eades.
It is now December 2nd of 2010, and though Ned is gone from our midst, another verse has been added to continue the tribute to those from Tuckahoe who serve the Craft as a District Deputy. Though certainly not written with Ned’s skill and heart, a new quatrain(**) is offered with great humility, respect to his memory, and in honor of R.W. Jack Cooke.
Herewith:
A Tribute to the District Deputy
By: R.W. J. Ned Culler
We would at this time pay tribute to some brethren
who have led the way.
There was Brent, and Lovern, and George Wright,
Who in the early days lit the light.
And then Haid, and Roper, and Roper came,
Who each in turn fanned the flame.
Culler and Whitley served their day,
And left their mark along the way.
Now comes another to add his glow,
To the Masonic light that is Tuckahoe.
R.W. Robert Wales Carpenter, Jr., DDGM 15-C,
And through him that light shall brighter be.
* The players change, but the goal is the same,
To feed the fire and fan the flame.
Which shall be done by the words and deeds,
Of Right Worshipful Robert Crews Eades.
** Six years have passed, our fraternal light shines on,
And now another Masonic year is ready to dawn,
Proudly, a Tuckahoe name graces the Grand Master’s book,
Our dedicated brother, Right Worshipful Jackie Glenn Cooke.
*** It’s been a decade plus that has quickly passed,
And now Barry Coleman Faison’s District jewel is cast.
Once again, it’s Tuckahoe’s turn to lead,
And fulfill our District’s leadership need.
RW Barry, we’ve watched with joy your Masonic quest,
Your daring, unflinching plan to fulfill our District’s best.
For you see, as a leader advancing in the dark,
The Brethren who follow your lead will indeed appreciate your mark.
And no doubt your mark you have positively made,
As each day and task completed is a perfect ashlar truly laid.
© J. Ned Culler 1-01, *12-04.
© Douglas M. Messimer ** 12-10, *** 12-22