Hiram Words. The Temple & its Sacred Altars part 3 Companion Jeff Day, PHP

Transcription

1 Hiram Words The official bimonthly publication of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois Vol. III, No. 4 The Temple & its Sacred Altars part 3 Companion Jeff Day, PHP Upon the úøåôë (transliterated Kaporet, translated Mercy Seat or Atonement Piece ; the lid of the Ark), rested two cherubim, made of the same piece of gold as the Mercy Seat, facing inward, with their wings covering over the Ark. The Torah describes the cherubim as having four faces: those of a lion, ox, man, and eagle; with one face towards each direction. These creatures were also depicted on the ensigns of the four principal tribes of Israel Judah, Ephraim, Rueben, and Dan respectively camped to the east, west, south, and north of the Tabernacle. In Leviticus chapter 16, and in the Talmud, we learn about the ceremonies of the High Priest. He would enter the Holy of Holies only on Yom Kippur. Upon entering, he would pass beneath the wings of two large cherubim which stretched from one wall of the chamber to the other, touching the tips of their wings together. He would place a golden censer filled with incense upon the floor before the Ark, and retreat before offering a prayer with hands uplifted. It was on this occasion that he was permitted to speak the great and sacred name of Deity. The äðéëù (transliterated Shekhinah, translated divine presence ) would then descend to rest above the Mercy Seat. Re-enter the Holy of Holies, the High Priest would indirectly behold the Shekhinah through the hazy cloud of smoke. The ìå úá (transliterated Bat Kol, translated daughter of voice or voice of G-d ) issued forth from between the wings of the cherubim. å Companion Day is a Past High Priest of Reames Chapter No. 28 in Grants Pass, Oregon, and is a periodic contributor to Hiram Words February 2010 C.E. ~ February 2310 A.I. ~ èáèùà Ñ 5770 Grand Officers Attend Prince Hall Capitular Festival Companion David A. Miley, GWM, editor Eight Grand Chapter officers attended the 16 January capitular festival in Chicago, hosted by the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Illinois & Its Jurisdiction. Like our respective grand lodges, grand councils, and grand commanderies, the two grand chapters of Illinois have been in full communion for nearly twelve years, and each welcomes visits by companions of the other jurisdiction. Our two Shrine imperial headquarters and Scottish Rite jurisdictions similarly recognise each other within such states such as Illinois where the grand lodges are in amity. Prince Hall Grand High Priest Melvin A. Crawford, Jr., invited our officers to see his work, having previously paid an official visit to La Fayette Chapter No. 2 last year to witness the conferral of the Most Excellent Master and Holy Royal Arch Mason degrees according to our ritual. While the allegories are based upon the same legends, Illinois Prince Hall capitular ritual differs significantly from both our 1972 red book and more elaborate 1914 Blackhawk rituals. Whereas the lessons in our degree work are codified in long, strictly-scripted ritual, Illinois Prince Hall capitular degrees feature a shorter but more physically active script, which is supplemented by extemporaneous lectures concerning the lessons to be learned. Seeing a different interpretation of the degrees was most enlightening and enjoyable for all. MEGHP Joe Santisteban sits in the front row with MEGHP Melvin Crawford and VEDGHP Carl Richardson. A mix of grand officers from both grand chapters can be seen behind them. The event also offered the opportunity for several grand officers and committee chairmen to meet with their respective counterparts, compare notes, and further strengthen the fraternal bond. Attendees from our Grand Chapter included MEGHP Joe Santisteban, REDGHP Chuck Horwitz, REGK Dale Cyrier, REGSec & MEPGHP Dick Yena, EGCoH Alan Hubble, EGStew Jack Buvelot, DDGHP John Loayza, and GWM Dave Miley. In most cases, their Prince Hall analogues were also present, and considerable networking took place. MEGHP Crawford presented one of their fundraising shirts, commemorating the event, to MEGHP Santisteban. Joe then presented Melvin a miniature replica of the Ark of the Covenant, as shown in the illustration at the top of the article to the left. For those who are interested in seeing Prince Hall cryptic ritual, there will be a council day on 17 February. See for more information. å Let the companions in your chapter know about Hiram Words, its usefulness, and that it is available free of charge on the Grand Chapter website, RAM- IL.org. Send your articles and photographs to GrandWebmaster@RAM-IL.org

2 Page 2 Hiram Words Vol. III, No. 4 The Long Journey Home by Companion Charles R. Chuck Horwitz, Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest The World Book Dictionary defines death as: The act of dying; the ending of any form of life In our Masonic funeral ritual is it written, The cradle and the coffin stand side by side; it is a melancholy truth that as soon as we begin to live that moment also we also begin to die. It is at this instant we begin the long journey home to that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. As Freemasons, we are blessed with the knowledge we have a road map to follow. That great light in Masonry is the beacon showing us the way. Our path is well defined with many signposts, friendship, morality, brotherly love, as well as faith, hope and charity. Our dedication to G-d, family, and to ourselves guides us along the path of life. How does one measure whether or not we have succeeded in following this road? We can only Companion Blue s mark contained his initials, wherein the tail of each letter formed the base of the next. gauge ourselves by the accomplishment others who have passed along this glorious route. In December, one of our guiding and shinning lights dimmed and was extinguished. Though this light is no longer to be seen by human eyes, we see its luminescence radiating from that ethereal spiritual house in the heavens. Companion Ronald K. Blue, Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois, joined with the Grand Architect of the Universe, having completed his earthly duties by following the true path of life thus leading him that celestial house not made by hands. It is men such as Companion Blue who help reinforce the signpost of life, giving us the necessary light for us to achieve the goals of being a good and righteous man. May his soul rest in peace at the right hand of G-d. Thus ended his long journey home. å Hiram Words Mourns Founder by Companion David A. Miley, editor In the spring of 2007, then-deputy Grand High Priest Bruce W. Rhinehart declared his intention to do away with the Grand Chapter s portion of the old, photocopied Illinois York Rite newsletter. It was to be discontinued in favour of a more vibrant, informative, and most importantly timely publication. To this end, Bruce turned to his soon-tobe Grand Scribe, Ron Blue, whom he commissioned to develop, edit, and publish the new magazine which the latter dubbed, Hiram Words. What you see before you is the brainchild of that man. The title, layout, typeface, and format, were all Ron s doing. He decided what sorts of articles would be included, and reached out chapters to submit their news and notices. A devote of history and research, Ron came up with the idea of having a Biblical history article on the left edge of the front page. He promoted the project to advertisers, and signed them up to sponsor us thus enabling the project to go forward. I worked with him from nearly the start, but I could not have done what he did. After two years, and with the magazine wellestablished, Ron turned over the project in order to devote his time to preparing for his year in the Grand Oriental Chair; a year that will now never Companion Ron Blue, be. On of his final accomplishments in the Grand Chapter was shepherding us back into the General Grand Chapter in 2009, after two decades away. Ron was a tireless supporter of the fraternity, and a beloved companion. In addition to his terms as Worshipful Master of two craft lodges, he presided over the Illinois Lodge of Research in 1987, and served as its secretary from 1989 until his death. He was the recipient of the Alfonse Cerza Award and the Andrew Torok Award from that lodge. He served on numerous committees of the Grand Lodge, AF&AM, of the State of Illinois over the years. He succumbed to lymphoma on 22 December 2009, leaving behind his widow Janet, their two children, three grand-children, and countless loving friends. Ron was sixty-four years old. A wake was held, and Masonic funeral rites performed, on Monday evening, 28 December, in Bloomington. Ron s impact on the fraternity and the love that was felt for him were displayed by the over-capacity crowd assembled at his wake and the seemingly endless procession of brethren laying evergreen sprigs upon his casket. A Roman Catholic funeral mass was held the following morning. Ron s biography is presented at å

3 Vol. III, No. 4 Hiram Words Page 3 Capitular Champions Advance to Keystone Quest 2nd Round Companion Paul A. Scheeler, PHP, Committee Chairman Chapter No. Town District Score Time Days La Fayette Chapter 2 Chicago 1S 100 5:00 1 Belleville Chapter 106 Belleville 6S 100 6:00 1 Shabbona Chapter 37 Ottawa 3S 100 6:39 4 Bloomington Chapter 26 Bloomington 4E 100 6:53 1 Galesburg Chapter 46 Galesburg 4N 100 8:22 20 Champaign Chapter 50 Champaign 5E :53 1 Henry Godeke Chapter 38 Bridgeport 7E 90 3:35 1 West Suburban Chapter 207 Downers Grove 2E 90 5:04 1 Goodbrake Chapter 59 Clinton 5W 90 5:25 1 Three Pillars Chapter 280 Western Springs 2E 90 7:05 1 Euclid Chapter 13 Naperville 2W 90 8:47 1 Wilmette Chapter 253 Wilmette 1S 90 14:42 1 Unity Chapter 182 Collinsville 6S 90 17:22 1 Lusk Chapter 20 Rushville 6W 85 6:35 2 Albion Chapter 237 Albion 7E 85 N/A N/A Logan Chapter 196 Oak Lawn 2E 75 6:08 1 Wheaton Chapter 242 Wheaton 2W 75 8:00 1 Waukegan Chapter 41 Waukegan 1N 75 12:43 7 Oracle Chapter 180 Glenview 1N 70 9:25 1 Peoria Chapter 7 Peoria Heights 4E 65 5:55 5 DeKalb Chapter 52 DeKalb 2W 60 4:51 27 Equality Chapter 6 Equality 7S 40 10: Chapters 13 Districts Average 85 Average 8:04 Average 5 Many chapters posted excellent scores and times in the first round of the 2001 Keystone Quest, with all those advancing to the second round listed in the accompanying table, above. The average score was eighty-five points, and the average time was eight minutes, four seconds. The fastest time was three minutes, thirty-five seconds, posted by defending state champion, Henry Godeke Chapter No. 38, of Bridgeport. Capitular Champion certificates are being mailed with the second round packets to each chapter secretary s mailing address on file with the Grand Secretary. Chapters participating in the first round qualify for one criterion in the Arch of Excellence programme. Completed second round materials must be postmarked no later than 30 April 2010 in order to be eligible for advancement to the third round at Grand Convocation as one of three Omnific Champions. in many temples, public libraries, and is accessible online at The second round will feature entries under the letter H. Note that any companions present including visitors may participate at the discretion of the Excellent High Priest, and a quorum is not required. For more information, please visit the Keystone Quest page of the Grand Chapter s website, at or contact Companion Paul A. Scheeler, Keystone Quest Chairman, at or his keystonequest@msn.com å Depicted to the left is the large Keystone Quest travelling trophy, bearing the names and championship years of each state champion chapter. Below it is a framed championship certificate for the winning chapter to retain and display. Questions are taken from the Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences by Companion Albert G. Mackey, M.D., 33, MEPGHP (South Carolina), which is on hand

4 Page 4 Hiram Words Vol. III, No. 4 Brotherly Love Companion Joseph H. Joe Santisteban, Most Excellent Grand High Priest As Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, we are taught that the first great tenet of our fraternity is brotherly love. This concept teaches us to regard the whole human species as one family, regardless of status, wealth, ethnicity, et cet. Because we were all created by one almighty parent and are inhabitants of the same planet, we should aid, support and protect each other. Freemasonry unites men of every country, creed and religion, developing true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained apart. Admittance to our order is based upon those principles upon which all good men agree and which all religions teach. Our traditions and our Masonic code only require that a candidate be a man who believes in the existence of a Supreme Being, has attained his majority, freeborn and his own master, able to read and write, of good report, well-recommended, and that he be mentally competent such that he is capable of learning and performing the intellectual and physical duties of Freemasonry. Every candidate at initiation is informed of our purpose. By binding men together as brothers, Freemasonry does not intend to make them all the same. That would be taking the concept of brotherhood too far. Rather, it recognises and acknowledges the legitimate differences between brothers. It seeks to enrich and harmonise our hearts with love and goodness so we can associate together on common ground as friends and brethren no matter what our differences may be. Masonry does not even require that we must like all of our brothers; only that we treat them with respect and dignity. It does not demand of us that we like people who are obnoxious to us, or that others should like us who find our company distasteful. I can be a brother to you even if I not like you. I can give you fair and equal treatment in all my dealings with you. I can always refuse to do evil to you or speak evil of you. I can always maintain an attitude of good will toward you and wish you good fortune and happiness. I can stand ready to help you insofar as circumstances make that possible, and I can always refuse to place any obstacles in your path. If I have a difference with you, it is okay as long as I do so honestly and openly. This is how I interpret brotherly spirit which can flourish even where private friendship is impossible. As we understand brotherhood and act in conformity with its demands, we will always work toward human unity. You should not be a dividing or distracting force in your lodge, chapter, or other body. You should be a good citizen who knows that your community has a right to demand some sacrifices on the part of its members. You should uphold and maintain the principles of our country and oppose every force that would degrade and divide it. You should use your best efforts to break down existing racial, religious and unjust barriers. It is your task as a true member of the Masonic brotherhood to act with respect to each other and to always do good to one another. Brotherly love is charity in the truest sense of the word. It is goodwill toward, and love of, humanity without any consideration being given to those artificial distinctions created by prejudice, weakness, and greed. No true Mason should bear ill will toward another, be he your brother or not, without just cause. If we understand this first great tenet of our fraternity and follow it in our daily lives, our lodges, chapters, et cet. will be places of peace, and our fraternity will be an institution where brotherly love prevails and where every moral and social virtue cements us. Moreover, Freemasonry will be seen and recognised by profanes as a force for human unity and happiness. Practicing brotherly love could be the primary refutation of our critics and the chief attraction of new candidates. As we say in our lodge, let us ever so meet, act, and part. Together! Fraternally, Joe Santisteban, MEGHP å

5 Vol. III, No. 4 Hiram Words Page 5 Joe s Travel Diary Highlights See for the full details 1 Feb. 2 Feb. Rising Sun Lodge No. 115 meeting at Grayslake Masonic Relations Cmte. meeting at Ill. Masonic Medical Centre 2 Feb. 3 Feb. Middle Chamber High Twelve Club meeting at Glenview presentation of Grand Master Hiram and the Word at Evanston 4 Feb. 6 Feb. AASR Valley of Chicago meeting at Medinah Shrine Centre Fox River Chapter No. 14 s PHPs dinner at St. Charles 14 Feb. Saint Valentine s Day 14 Feb. Illinois York Rite College No. 15 s ladies night 15 Feb. Presidents Day 16 Feb. Waukegan Chapter No. 41 convocation & Lake Council No. 121 assembly at Waukegan 17 Feb. Bethel Commandery No. 36 conclave at Palatine 18 Feb. Milburn Lodge No. 127 meeting at Lake Villa 23 Feb. El Jaala Grotto meeting at Silver Stallion in Des Plaines Elected Officers for Joseph H. Joe Santisteban Most Excellent Grand High Priest Charles R. Chuck Horwitz Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest Dale P. Cyrier Right Excellent Grand King Robert H. Bob Wright Right Excellent Grand Scribe Bruce W. Rhinehart MEPGHP Right Excellent Grand Treasurer Richard E Dick Yena MEPGHP Right Excellent Grand Secretary 27/28 Feb. éøåôí (Purim) 1 Mar. Kazimierz (Casimir) Pulaski Day 1 Mar. 2 Mar. Rising Sun Lodge No. 115 meeting at Grayslake Masonic Relations Cmte. meeting at Ill. Masonic Medical Centre 2 Mar. 4 Mar. Middle Chamber High Twelve Club meeting at Glenview AASR Valley of Chicago meeting at Medinah Shrine Centre 7 Mar. Grand York Rite pre-conference meeting at Springfield 11 Mar. Valley of Chicago s Warden s Night and 4 at Medinah SC 12 Mar. St. Bridget Knight Masons Council No. 23 meeting 14 Mar. Lake Michigan National Sojourners Chapter 289 at Libertyville 16 Mar. Waukegan Chapter No. 41 convocation & Lake Council No. 121 assembly at Waukegan 17 Mar. Lá le Pádraig (Saint Patrick s Day) 17 Mar. American Legion Post No. 771 meeting at Gurnee 18 Mar. DeMolay Legion of Honour observance 20 Mar. Medinah Shriners Potentate s Ball at the Hyatt Regency O Hare in Schaumburg 23 Mar. El Jaala Grotto meeting at Silver Stallion in Des Plaines 25 Mar. AASR Valley of Chicago Feast of the Pascal Lamb at Medinah Shrine Centre 27 Mar. ASSR Valley of Chicago reunion at Medinah Shrine Centre in Addison 28 Mar. Palm Sunday 29/30Mar-6Apr çñçôìæ (Pesach) 30 Mar. Illinois York Rite College No. 15 meeting å Alan M. Hubble Excellent Grand Captain of the Host William J. Bill Hussey, Jr. Excellent Grand Principal Sojourner Sean P. McBride Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain See all at

6 Page 6 Hiram Words Vol. III, No. 4 Inside the Grand Chapter Archives The term archives often conjures up mental images of dusty shelves lined with old books never to be opened again, the basement of a museum filled with ancient artefacts, or row upon endless row of countless crates stacked within an enormous warehouse as depicted in the closing scene of the motion picture, Raiders of the Lost Ark. In reality, the Grand Chapter archives are far more modest and have typically occupied the Grand Secretary s garage or basement. Under Grand Chapter Code, the Grand Secretary is ex officio the Grand Librarian and official custodian of all Grand Chapter records and artefacts. Similarly, the Grand Treasurer is the official custodian of all Grand Chapter monetary assets. Currently, the bulk of the archives is amassed in a storage facility near Chicago, while numerous Grand Chapter electronic files and physical documents such as current exaltation cards and committee reports, as well as office equipment and supplies are housed nearby in Grand Secretary Richard E. Yena s home office in Western Springs for his easy access. Grand Secretary Dick Yena is hard at work in his basement the new administrative headquarters of the Grand Chapter. The storage facility contains many items of value to capitular Freemasonry in Illinois, including such things as the following: Two complete sets of Grand Chapter proceedings books dating from 1850 to the present; Files with the annual reports of all chapters, plus relevant correspondence; Over fifty thousand exaltation cards dating to the 1800s, including those from defunct chapters; Nearly sixty charters from defunct or merged chapters (an article on these appeared in the preceding issue of Hiram Words); A rare view into the bunkeresque Grand Archives vault, in the hermetically sealed sanctum sanctorum, buried deep below the porch of Funk & Wagnalls Holy Temple of Jerusalem. Companion Paul Scheeler, PHP, takes a break from sorting the Grand Chapter proceedings, to inspect the exaltation card catalogue. During the most recent Grand Convocation, at the end of July 2009, outgoing Grand High Priest Dick Yena was elected to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Grand Secretary Edward E. Derry. The archives were subsequently packed up in Washington, Illinois, and shipped north to Dick s custody. With the assistance of Companion Paul Scheeler and others, Dick has spent untold hours over the past few months examining, inventorying organising, cataloguing, and digitising the archives, both paper and tangible. Much remains to be done, of course, but the herculean effort thus far is already making noticeable progress. Soon, charters and regalia will be available for viewing on the Grand Chapter s website. Digitising the data contained in exaltation cards and other documents will take considerably longer. Historic Grand Chapter ledgers, plus defunct chapter minute books and attendance registers; Seals of dozens of defunct chapters; and Various arches & pillars, Arks with contents, keystones, trestle boards, rods & banners, a river Jordan, bridge, ballot boxes, working tools, swords, belts, aprons, and other paraphernalia. Merely duplicative items in very poor condition are disposed of, and then only after thorough evaluation. Historic items are permanently archived and made available to the Illinois Lodge of Research for scanning/photographing and website posting. Chapters who have items which might be of historical value suitable for archiving are encouraged to contact Grand Secretary Yena. å Editor s note: Those who do not understand the Funk & Wagnalls hermetically sealed porch reference should ask someone in or beyond his forties.

7 Vol. III, No. 4 Hiram Words Page 7 Pekin Chapter Exalts Eleven Thus Far Companion John B. Jack Hall, MEPGHP, REGTr Emeritus, Excellent Grand Organist The photograph above shows several of those present for the conferral of the Most Excellent Master degree by Pekin Chapter No. 25 on Monday, 18 January. Pekin Chapter had completed work on ten new companions since June 2009, and Brother Joe McFarland will be our eleventh new companion this capitular year. Work on this candidate was delayed by the passing of Companion Ron Blue and some rescheduling problems. å Woody Logsdon Certified Companion Perry W. Foltz, MEHPGHP On Sunday, 6 December, Companion Gayle R. Woody Logsdon, of Jacksonville Chapter No. 3, completed the certification examination for the Virtual Past Master degree. The examination was conducted by Companion Perry Foltz, MEHPGHP, Chairman of the Board of Grand Examiners, who was assisted by several members of the Central Illinois Capitular Standard Club who had been certified previously on that degree. å

8 Page 8 Hiram Words Vol. III, No. 4 The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois DICK YENA GRAND SECRETARY PO BOX 1180 LAGRANGE PARK IL Non-Profit Org. Grand Royal Arch Chapter PAID LAGRANGE, IL Permit No. 55 office telephone: office telefacsimile: TBA GrSecy@ATT.net Return Service Requested Support the charities of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter visit Scottish Janitor s Toast The closing ceremony of Royal Arch chapters under the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland features a series of ritualised toasts, the final of which is delivered by the Janitor (or Sentinel as we call him). This is, accordingly, referred to as the Janitor s Toast. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Janitor steps forward and says to the assembled companions: Here s to all poor and distressed Royal Arch Masons, their widows and orphans, where e er they may be, in air, on land or sea. May the all-seeing eye watch over them, grant them a speedy recovery from all their ills, and a safe return to their ain country should they desire it. - See Ray Vaughn Denslow, A Royal Arch Encyclopaedia (1951). The title, Janitor, derives from Latin janua, ( a door ), and literally means Doorkeeper. Unlike the other officers of a Scottish chapter, whose jewels are borne on a delta as ours are, the janitor s sword is not. Rather, it is essentially a golden version of the lodge Tyler s jewel. å Contribute Content to Hiram Words Companion David A. Miley, GWM, editor The Grand Chapter s homepage always shows announcements of upcoming capitular degree exemplifications, yet rarely are the news and photographs from the work sent to Hiram Words to share your chapter s accomplishments and show off your new companions. Please send news and photographs to GrandWebmaster@RAM-IL.org Is your chapter holding a special event, either on your own or in conjunction with other Masonic bodies? Take some photographs, write up a little information, and send it to us. Do you have thoughts on capitular Freemasonry? How about suggestions for strengthening the chapters? Do you write Masonic poetry? Share all of that with your Illinois companions, by sending it to GrandWebmaster@RAM-IL.org Does your chapter have some interesting, historic, or unusual artefacts? Take some photographs and send them with a little description, and we will publish. å