Apron of the Rose

Mar 16, 2023 | Masonic Art

MASONIC ART

Apron of the Rose

Painted Masonic Apron by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

Each time I create a painted Masonic Apron, I intend for it to be a statement in more ways than one. In other words I like to meld the great traditions of historic Masonic aprons with my own feelings and ideas as an artist. This way the great Masonic history of aprons is being brought into the here and now and therefore also into the future. For me to merely imitate the old aprons would not be achieving anything because those old aprons stand quite well on their own. My aim is to contribute by not abandoning a most inspiring and profound tradition.

Image: “Apron of the Rose”, Painted Masonic Apron by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

One of the things I very much like about Freemasonry is that symbols can be interpreted in different and also intimately personal ways. Masonic iconography seems to have a special strength which speaks to both the heart and mind. Rather than me explaining any meanings behind this particular artwork, I will leave it to the viewer to interpret it as they see it. Frankly, I feel this way about much of my work. And Masonry actually confirms my approach as a painter.

Written by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
www.Roussimoff.com
Consolidated Lodge #31 F. & A.M.
Manhattan, New York

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Masonic ritual – Empty Warden Chair

Mar 14, 2023 | Masonic Etiquette, Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

Empty Warden’s Chair

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

If a Warden momentarily vacates his chair, should another member be directed to occupy that station in his absence?

There is no requirement under our system of Masonry that the stations of the Lodge be occupied when the officer ordinarily seated there is elsewhere about the Lodge, or indeed should he be without the Lodge for a short period. The time to seat another Brother in a Warden’s empty station is when the office of that station has something to do.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.

My Grandfather’s Jewel

Mar 9, 2023 | Masonic History

MASONIC HISTORY

My Grandfather’s Jewel

A family legacy within the Craft

My family has a long history in Philadelphia, going as far back as the late 1600s. My sisters and I know more about our mother’s side of the family than our father’s side, but I have begun looking into things. Recently, I sought out some information on my paternal grandfather whom I had never met. Shortly after I became a Master Mason, my father gave me various Masonic jewelry belonging to his father – including some Scottish Rite pieces. As the Grand Lodge of New York started to highlight the use of the Lewis Jewel, I already had my father’s information on hand, so I reached out to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to see what information it had on my grandfather.

Image: The Past Master’s Jewel of HGCW

My grandfather, Harry G. C. Williams was 21 years, 2 months and 10 days old when he was initiated into Olivet Lodge No. 607 in Philadelphia in 1910. He was the Junior Warden in 1920, Senior Warden in 1921 and Worshipful Master in 1922. I discovered evidence that he had been a member of the Knights Templar and LuLu Shrine and I am aware that he was in the Scottish Rite. I do not suspect that my paternal great-grandfather was a Mason. My grandfather had been mostly estranged from his family for unknown reasons. Olivet Lodge was constituted in 1895 and had only been chartered for 15 years when my grandfather joined in 1910. Along with Oriental Lodge No. 385 and Crescent Lodge No. 493, Olivet Lodge No. 607 merged with Concordia Lodge No. 67 on December 9, 2000. I never met my paternal grandfather. He passed away on December 30, 1937 – three days before his 49th birthday, and almost 20 years before I was born. I also never knew much about him, but I’ve gathered bits and pieces: He was a veteran of the 315th Infantry Regiment. He helped to start the American Legion in Pennsylvania. He was President of the Philadelphia Real Estate Board in 1933-1934.

I have just found his Past Master jewel inside of a box. I can make out the “HGCW” monogram on the jewel. As he was only 48 years old when he passed away, I feel for my father who had been just a boy at the time. I’m grateful for the time I had with my father and will treasure my Masonic lineage.

Written by: Bro. Harry Williams Bro. Williams was raised in 1993 and is a member of three symbolic lodges in New York – Geneva-Ark No. 33, Warren No. 32, and Adonai No. 718. He helped to consolidate the Columbia, Dutchess and Greene-Ulster District into the Majestic Mid-Hudson District and bring about a new, revitalized district.

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Masonic Ritual – Deacons and Taking the Password

Mar 3, 2023 | Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

DEACONS AND TAKING THE PASSWORD

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Why don’t the Deacons take the word or password from the Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary and any Grand Lodge officers seated in the East when purging the Lodge?

All of these officers outrank the Deacons, who therefore have no authority under which to demand the word or password from them. The reason the Deacons do take the word or password from Grand Lodge officers seated on the sidelines is because they must be in the East to display the authority of their Masonic titles. Otherwise for Ritual purposes they are just regular Brothers. For similar reasons, the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and District Deputy Grand Master do not give the Sign of Fidelity to the Lodge officers when seated in the East, but do give this sign when seated elsewhere about the Lodge.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.

Masonic Ritual – Crossing the East During Labor

Feb 28, 2023 | Masonic Etiquette, Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

Crossing the East

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Why can’t we cross between the Altar and the East when the Lodge is at labor?

From a symbolic perspective, the Three Great Lights transmit their Light to the Master, whose duty it is to disseminate that Light to the Brethren in the Lodge. When someone crosses the East, that transmission of Light is interrupted. There are, of course, times when this restriction is impracticable, which is why we move freely about the Lodge during Degree Rituals and the Master can grant freedom of the Lodge to anyone he chooses, such as a Brother giving a talk or presentation. In all considerations such as these we must use common sense and avoid adopting a fundamentalist attitude towards our Rituals and traditions to such an extent that there is a negative effect on the work and operations of the Lodge.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.