Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Orient of Washington - Valley of Everett THE RITE BULLETIN

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1 Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Ill. Carl Smith, 33 Personal Representative of the S.G.I G. (360) Terry Grove, 32, KCCH General Secretary 2431 Rucker Ave Everett, WA (425) Orient of Washington - Valley of Everett Volume 25 March 2016 Issue 03 THE RITE BULLETIN From The Personal Representative Ill. Bro. Carl Smith, 33 Looking at the Everett Scottish Rite Calendar one might think, with so many Dark Fridays, there is nothing going on during the month of March. Not so! First of all, we will be meeting in our new Temple from now on. HURRAY! And that takes me to the first event in March, Friday, March 4 th. March Forth is a little known holiday and invites us to march forth into our lives, take on new experiences, and celebrate our accomplishments. The name of this unofficial holiday plays on the words, march fourth, which when spoken out loud sounds like march forth - an expression used to convey action and moving forward. This is a fitting day to embark on a new journey in our Scottish Rite Temple. March 4th is the only day of the year that is also a command! Each of us can use this day ourselves to celebrate our achievements and set new goals. Here are some ways for each of us to observe this holiday. [] Encourage everyone you know to celebrate and march forth in their own lives. [] Reflect on your life and the year that has just passed. Think about where you would like to see yourself in the future. [] Forgive yourself for any shortcomings you might have and not keeping your New Year's resolutions. [] Start a list of goals that you would like to achieve by March 4th of next year. Keep the list handy so you will see it every day. Focus on meeting one goal at a time. [] Attempt something new on March 4th. Take tennis lessons, explore a hobby, or tackle a fun project that you haven't made time for. [] Listen to inspirational music while you are celebrating March Forth. Choose songs that make you feel upbeat and motivated. [] Spend some time during the day doing something just for yourself. MARCH FORTH!!! On March 11 th the Degrees of the Lodge of Perfection will be completed with the performance of the 14, Perfect Elu. This is a mandatory Degree, so all candidates are encouraged to attend. There is no meeting scheduled for March 18 th due to Grand Lodge putting on the annual Leadership Work Shop that weekend. Many of our Scottish Rite Brethren are leaders in their respective Lodges and the material presented will also benefit Scottish Rite. Another Dark Friday night will be Good Friday, March 25 th. HAPPY EASTER Carl B. Smith, 33, Personal Representative

2 From The Valley Secretary By: Terry Grove, 32, KCCH Brethren - one of my many responsibilities is maintaining the minutes of the Valley, plus to authorize and process the warrants for all expenses and reimbursements (monthly/daily costs) connected to the Valley of Everett and the Scottish Rite Temple Association (remodel and income.) This is in addition to posting/tracking and making the deposits from dues and meals. On that subject - I must inform you that we are now tracking approximately 45+/- members who are in default for 2015 and/or 2016 dues. Supreme will be mailing those individuals another reminder in March (we ll be billed accordingly). Just in case you do not know it - the Valley of Everett is billed for each member as follows: $2 Rite Care and $3 for the Scholarship Foundation (Orient of Washington). In addition, a $20 annual fee from Supreme as a per capita assessment. In July 2016, those in arrears will roll-over and be aged within a group due for 2015, 2016 and In December 2016, those in default for 2015 will be Suspended for Non-Payment of Dues to avoid the Valley from being assessed at $20 for the following year. Please get those dues submitted to reduce our overhead costs. Mentoring By Cary Cope 32, KCCH Brethren, as a new class year gets under way remember that we are all Mentors and it is our duty to help and council new class members and newer Rite members as well. None of us has all the answers, so don't be embarrassed to ask for advice or council. So many times we bring new members in to our fold and then leave them to their own devices. I believe that this is counterproductive and can lead to the new member losing interest or at least feeling that they are not receiving what was conveyed. We all know how disappointing that can be. Again I urge you to, not go out of your way- because you should not consider it as such, and make the effort to welcome these brothers into our fraternity with a handshake and a few words. You might be surprised how far that will go. Look forward to seeing all of you soon. Valley of Everett 2016 Degree Schedule Mar 11, th Degree Apr 08, th Degree Apr 22, th Degree May 13, st Degree May 20, th Degree Rose Croix Funeral Service This service is very beautiful and available to all, however, Members must make their members of the Scottish Rite desires known to their families and the Valley. Should you desire a Rose Croix Funeral Service, when the time comes, please let your families know now. Ensure that they have the phone number of our Valley Secretary, Terry Grove when that time does comes. Terry can be reached at or him at terrygrove50@yahoo.com The Members of the Valley of Everett extend to all the Brethren listed for the month of March Marvin L Anderson John R Bellmore Bruce E Biddlecome Ralph L Brigman Henry C Brown Matt W Elliott Timothy J Guernsey Ryan M Johnsen Francisco W Lalas Leo A Latlip Robert G Little Dwight W Needham Donald W Newquist Brian E O'Dell Ronald D Quinto Jason P Rivers Chester A Simcoe Dale K Thayer William R H Wade Bertum Williams Dennis C Withers Ben D Woodbury Robert M Wright

3 RiteCare of Washington Susie Beresford, Director of Development & Communication Building with one brick at a time There are good days and bad days as a parent, and I knew this going into it, but like so many first time parents I am not sure I understood what that meant. As a parent, all you really want for your child is to be happy, to laugh from the tips of their toes to end of their nose and be carefree and explore. But what happens when your child for one reason or another is stuck on an island, alone and unable to make the leap and join in? My daughter was on her own island. I could visit and give her love and hugs but I was just a visitor. That was two years ago, she is 5 now and things have improved. She was born in China with non-communicating hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) which affected her speech. Having experienced so much turmoil in her life adding a new culture and language to the mix was too much. As a parent, where does one even start? Obviously with patience and love, but from there, when frustration and lack of communication leads to lack of connection, where do you go? We got lucky, we found Rite Care and the awesome Jackie Brown who relentlessly pursues alternative lines of therapy to find the right fit. It hasn t been a straight line or a normal road on the way to helping my daughter, but Jackie has never given up. She takes the good days and the bad days and keeps on moving ahead (or sideways as the case dictates). And this, above anything else, the progress and the setbacks is invaluable, because it shows just how committed she and Rite Care are to helping kids, all kids. Every day is still a challenge but there is progress. Having my daughter walk up and ask me, Whatcha doin? is priceless and the world to me. One brick at a time, Rite Care gave my child the bridge she needed to join the rest of us. One brick at a time, they gave me, my husband, and our village the tools to be present with my daughter. One brick at a time, they continue to support and explore ways to better her growth. Just a few years ago the leadership of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of free and Accepted Masons of Washington made a commitment to improve its charitable activity in the Jurisdiction. Part of this commitment included consolidating Masonic Outreach Services, Children's Programs and Scholarships, and the Washington Masonic Library and Museum under one single 501 (C) 3 nonprofit corporation. This was a big change, but it was also the right change. Over the past twenty five years the expectations of agencies responsible for oversight of nonprofit work have increased, and like any other business, nonprofits have benefited from active and skilled management. Nonprofits are expected to be more business -like, fiscally responsible, and to maintain a clear strategic direction to assure that the donor dollars are used effectively. The Grand Lodge leadership recognized that it was time to change for the better. It was an enormous leap of faith on the part of the WAMC Board of Trustees and the Jurisdiction to rethink its charitable work and take the steps to bring in skill and experience in the field. This decision is beginning to bear fruit. After doing the heavy lifting of building the infrastructure, and bringing on staff, we are beginning to make positive progress. Masonic Outreach Services has had an active and visible presence in both Western and Eastern Washington for nearly a year, and staff are serving more than 30 new clients each month. Children's Programs and Public Schools Outreach are getting a big boost, and we are beginning to address identified community needs while aligning this work with Masonic values. New ways WASHINGTON MASONIC CHARITIES Ken Gibson, Director of preserving and sharing our Masonic heritage not only within the Fraternity, but in the public are beginning to take shape through the Library and Museum, and we are beginning to revive satellite libraries. Washington Masonic Charities is, and will always be, strongly connected to the Grand Lodge for the benefit of Masons, including those who are in distress, widows, and orphans. As a public charitable organization, we are also here to serve our fellow man. We will be here to do our part to assure that our children are safe and that our least advantaged have the opportunity to become educated, capable adults of good character. We will continue to assure that our older adults have their needs met, so they can live their lives with meaning and dignity. We will help to assure that our Masonic heritage is preserved and known for generations to come. Washington Masonic Charities will always take its cues from our Masonic values and the Fraternity. It is important to remember that the Grand Lodge is ultimately constituted by the current and past leadership of every Masonic Lodge in our Grand Jurisdiction, and, because of this, I believe that it is important to listen to, and be responsive to, the ideas and concerns of the Brethren. I invite anyone who has any ideas, concerns, or wants more information about Washington Masonic Charities to please call me directly at (253) or send me an at ken@wa-masoniccharities.org. You have my solemn pledge that the work of Washington Masonic Charities, in partnership and collaboration with the Brethren, will reflect favorably on Freemasonry across the Grand Jurisdiction.

4 By George R. Adams, 33 The Supreme Council's new "Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal," which is recommended for use in place of the traditional Feast of Tishri observance, is not a religious ceremony. It is a Masonic ceremony to be celebrated in the spring at a time that does not conflict with the celebration of Easter. In this ceremony, we remember those who have journeyed on to the Celestial Lodge, and we renew our commitment to our own life's journey. During this ceremony, we hear the names of our departed Brethren. These individuals are our Brothers with whom we have shared the beauty and grandeur of Masonry. The reading of Painting by Ill. John D. Melius, 33 these names is reminiscent of an ancient Sanskrit injunction: "Lead us from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality." As Masons, we are traveling together on a mystic journey, a journey toward greater and greater light. "The Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal" is a celebration of our Masonic bonds, an opportunity to remember our Brothers who have journeyed on before us, and a time to reflect upon our own individual quest. In the course of our life journey, we experience cycles of darkness as well as peak experiences of joy and spiritual growth. Symbolically at this time, we move our thoughts from the darkness of winter to the renewal of spring and the promise of more light. The very name Lent is taken from the Latin word which means "to lengthen," and it is during the period of Lent that the rays of light begin to lengthen until the advent of the Vernal Equinox where day and night are equal. The Vernal Equinox has been recognized by cultures and religions in all times as very spiritual. For example, the Christians celebrate this season with Lent, Maundy Thursday and Easter, the Iranians with the celebration of Jamshedji Nauroz, and the Jews with the observance Passover. We might say that the Vernal Equinox is: A time of renewal A time of more light in our life v A time of the crossing over from the darkness of winter into the light and renewal of spring A time for extending our vision of universal brotherhood A time to erase the divisions of race, creed, and religious intolerance Painting by Ill. John D. Melius A time to remember those who have journeyed on to the Celestial Lodge A time to thank the Creator for the men and women in our military who are sacrificing their very lives that we may enjoy the blessing of liberty and justice in our democratic society A time for reflection upon the spiritual truths exemplified in the lives and ideals of the avatars, saviors, sages, and messengers of light of all ages. Freemasonry provides us with insights into the assimilation of light. Our Craft has been likened to a deep well out of which each Mason draws according to his own understanding and enlightenment. During the "Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal," we draw from that well. The language of Masonry consists of its universal symbols and rituals. A symbol contains the essence of a truth. A universal symbol contains a universal truth. The universal symbols displayed during the "Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal" include, among others, the Cross, the Star of David, and the Volumes of the Sacred Law. These universal symbols can be viewed on many levels. For example, the Christian might associate the cross with the crucifixion; the Buddhist with the sacred Boddhi tree under which the Buddha received enlightenment; the psychologist as an archetypical symbol found within the collective unconscious; and the philosopher as a universal metaphor of human perfection to be found within man himself. The Star of David is also a universal symbol. Culturally, it is synonymous with Judaism. In addition, however, the Star of David is sometimes referred to as the Seal of Solomon. The United States dollar bill has a Star of David etched on one side with 13 points or stars in the form of two intersecting triangles. Symbolically, the triangle is the symbol of Deity found in teachings of Freemasonry as well as in many of the world's religions. For example, in Christianity the Trinity is represented as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Hinduism, it is represented as Brahma, Continue on Page 5

5 Remembrance and Renewal Continue from page 4 Vishnu, and Shiva. And in Freemasonry, it is represented by the three greater and lesser lights. A deeper interpretation of the Star of David is that the bottom triangle symbolizes God within man while the upper triangle represents the Transcendent Deity. Taken together, the two interlaced triangles reveal the union of man with Deity. Multiple Volumes of the Sacred Law rest on the Masonic altar. They may include the Holy Bible, the Koran, the Upanishads, the Zend-Avesta, or whatever book or books Masons deem to be their sacred scripture. Scripture is the means by which we regulate our life and discover truth. In Freemasonry, we are taught that scripture is given to us by God for the "rule and guide of our faith." Freemasons use these universal symbols in the context of their own culture, their own religious preference, and their own self-development. In addition to being universal symbols, the icons noted above are images we individually associate with our respective cultures and personal beliefs. They provide us with insights into ourselves and light for our journey through life. Accordingly, we, each of us, worships the Creator in our own way, according to the dictates of our own conscience, in our own church, or our own synagogue, or our own mosque, or in our own temple. The ritual exemplified in the "Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal" allows each person, regardless of religious background and belief, to share, in a broader, more universal context, the spiritual significance of this festive season. As Masons, we strive to exemplify Masonic light. The "Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal" provides a moving experience and a symbolic foundation on which to build an expanded, more universal celebration of the grandeur, the beauty, the harmony, and the mystery of life and our Craft. To cite the final words of the ceremony: "I give to you all the hope of spring renewed with its attendant bounty. May Brotherly Love prevail and may we ever be united in every social and moral virtue, cemented in the mystic and universal bond of Masonic Brotherhood." Reprinted from Scottish Rite Journal Feb 2004) Washington Masonic Disaster Relief Fund Created At its November meeting, the Washington Masonic Charities Board of Trustees voted to create a new fund for disaster relief within the Washington Jurisdiction. This fund will be activated in time of a significant disaster or emergency within the Jurisdiction. Examples include events such as major fires, landslides, earthquakes, storms, tsunami or other incidents that have widespread impact. The WAMC Board will look at each incident or event on a case by case basis to determine whether the funds will either be distributed to a reputable relief organization with boots on the ground in the area, or whether individuals may apply directly for relief through an application process submitted directly to WA Masonic Charities. When disaster strikes or a community is impacted and needs assistance, we'll send out a notice about how Brethren and others can give. We hope to not have to use this fund, but with this process in place it will be very clear in the future how people can help in a time of need. Individuals may contribute to this fund at any time by sending a check made out to WA Masonic Charities c/o Masonic Disaster Fund 4790 Bridgeport Way W, University Place, WA 98467, or by making an online contribution. From the Almoner's desk Kenneth Cage, 32º If you know of anyone who is ill, in a nursing home or hospital please let me know so I can send them a card or pay them a visit. May God bless you and be with you o r e m a i l m e a t : eckc1@comcast.net Ring Ceremony By Cary Cope 32, KCCH I have been tasked with forming a committee to make the Cap and Ring ceremony a more meaningful and dignified ceremony. If any of you have ideas please bring them to my attention or if you would like to help, please let me know. Many of us feel that this ceremony needs more substance, it is after all the culmination of the most important year in the new members Scottish Rite career. Let s make it an important night. Thank you.

6 I am pleased to present the words of WB Russ Johnson, Past Worshipful Master of St Johns No. 9. The challenges put forth by WB Russ ring true for all lodges. Stonemasons built buildings. Freemasons build men. In Masonry we love our metaphors and allegories. One of our most beloved metaphors is that of building. Today s Freemasons hail from the ancient Stonemasons; who, amongst medieval villages of wooden huts and thatched roofs, built great stone cathedrals. These great structures stood above their surroundings and become beacons to their communities. They were symbols of moral and ethical value; symbols of a village s identity and greatness. Freemasons build men; we teach our members to be noble men and of great moral and ethical character. And just as the great stone cathedrals were built among the village huts, Freemasons are built amidst their communities. In the hope that the examples of their moral and ethical behavior will be a similar inspiration to their communities as the great cathedrals were to theirs. That they will become beacons of noble, moral and ethical behavior. Every Mason aspires to moral and ethical perfection. Each Brother refers to his personal development, his pursuit of perfection, as building his individual temple. Using the allegorical tools of Freemasonry to hew and lay the stones of his life; to emulate that temple not made with hands. As a group of Masons, Lodges also labor in pursuit of perfection, to build better men and to be centers of moral and ethical inspiration. As such, the labors of an individual lodge can also be thought of, as building a Temple. Just as the ancient stonemasons built King Solomon s Temple stone by stone, each year, the efforts of the Master, officers and the members of the Lodge can be viewed, as hewing and laying a stone in the building of their temple. There are 154 stones in the Temple St. John s. In this ensuing year we are to hew and set the 155th stone. We must craft our new stone to fit upon the work of those RWVENTOLATOR By RWB Jim Mendoza who came before us and to prepare a solid base for those who will come after us. We must build the wall higher; leave the lodge better than when it was entrusted to our care. The tools we will use to face and finish our stone are: education, fellowship, ritual and community improvement. We will continue to enhance the educational opportunities for our members: we will continue and improve the Masonic education in our monthly meetings and our Intender sessions for our candidates; we will challenge and stimulate the minds of our Master Masons, by beginning a monthly Master Mason study group. We will enjoy the fellowship of our Brethren and that of their families at our traditional: Spring Brunch at Ivar s, Summer picnic at the Nile, our anniversary dinner this year will have a historical theme, and we will have a visit by brother Mark Twain in the summer. Masonic ritual is our touchstone to our heritage and represents the essence of Masonry. The officers and I are privileged to perform the ritual and will honor that scared trust through the pursuit of perfection. We will explore ways of enhancing the ritual, without defaming its sanctity. We plan to explore the history of our ritual through the Lectures of William Preston. This year we will reach out into the outer world and improve our community through our scholarship program and by starting the annual Seattle Teachers Autism Awareness Symposium in conjunction with the University of Washington Autism Center. We must also leave the Lodge better than when we started. St. John s is blessed with a plethora of Past Masters. This year we will take advantage of that knowledge and experience by formalizing a Past Masters Group with a quarterly Past Masters brunch. To make running the lodge easier for future officers, we will document our policies and processes in an operating manual. We have a busy year ahead of us and have high hopes and aspirations for our stone. We hope that the future brethren of St. John s may look back upon our stone, with small portion of the respect and awe, that we feel when we look upon the stones set by our forefathers like Brothers: Denny, Yesler, Bagley, Ballard and Doc Maynard. It truly is an incredible honor to set a stone in the same temple that these great men. I am so honored to have the opportunity to work with these brethren and to place a stone in this great edifice.

7 There is much talk in Freemasonry today about ritual and its importance, current lack of quality, and if it should be changed. These are all good questions and require that we look at the reasons for ritual and why it is so important for Masonry to preserve the ritual and to apply it. All societies have ritual of some sort. Ritual is simply a series of actions and/or words that are done in the same manner consistently with the goal of transmitting or reenforcing a lesson or tradition. Rituals are all around us both in a religious context but also in an everyday context. Examples would be graduations, reciting the pledge of allegiance at a ball game, shaking hands and saying hello. All of these are common rituals in our lives. So why is ritual important to Masons? It's important because it is how the lessons and wisdom of Masonry are transmitted to the next generation of Masons. It is the road map for changing your life for the better. It is designed to make you think, to grow and to be exposed to some of the great truths of our society. Ritual should make an impression on you and point the way to a better life. It does so using allegory. Allegory is defined as follows (from Wikipedia): "Allegory is a literary device in which characters or events in a literary, visual, or musical art form represent or symbolize ideas and concepts. Allegory has been used widely throughout the histories of all forms of art; a major reason for this is its immense power to illustrate complex ideas and concepts in ways that are easily digestible and tangible to its viewers, readers, or listeners. An allegory conveys its hidden message through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, and/or events." Compare this definition to the ritual and you will see that this is exactly how Masonic ritual is written and therefore how the lessons are being transmitted. If we want to learn about Masonry and practice it in our lives, it follows that we need to spend some time in the study of ritual. That ritual is a big subject and worthy of a lifetime of study is obvious, but how to go about learning ritual is not so obvious. There are three sides to ritual in a practical sense: Learning it, accuracy of delivery, and understanding--study, think, share, discuss--and this never ends. Living it! If you don't change your life or follow what is taught in the ritual then it's a waste of time. Just being able to repeat the words will not make you a better person; you have to apply those ideas to your life. Don't think of these three things as a straight-line task, beginning to end, but as a constant cycle that will take place throughout our entire Masonic career. The Importance of Ritual Thomas L. Hauder, PGM As you grow and apply the lessons of Masonry, new ideas will become apparent to you. The meanings will change and grow deeper as you practice and study the ritual. Some of the ritual may not make much sense now but will later. The study and application of ritual is meant to be a lifelong endeavor and there are also many side benefits to studying ritual: leadership, public speaking, cooperation, the power of your mind, fellowship, and the satisfaction of achieving a difficult goal. In Nebraska, lodges often assign the new EA/FC/MM a mentor who will work with you to learn proficiency requirements and encourage an interest in learning more ritual. This allows you to make a friend in Lodge, and makes you a part of Lodge. You can participate, ask questions, and get others' viewpoints on what ritual means to them. Repetition helps you to learn. Who can memorize without thinking about the material? So how does one start down the path to learning ritual? Here are a few ideas that will help: Ask someone who knows the ritual to mentor you; this could be someone from your Lodge or another Lodge close by. Come to Lodge on a regular basis, especially when degree work is being done; watch, listen and maybe take a small part. Get a study buddy. Learning is much easier if you have a partner to help you learn. Challenge one of your Lodge brothers to learn a part of the ritual. Take the Grand Lodge Ritual class. Grand Lodge is now offering a yearlong class to teach you all the ritual. The class meets once a month and is designed for success. Devote the last 10 minutes before going to bed to reading and remembering a piece of ritual. Spend the first 10 minutes of the day thinking about what you read the night before. To be sure, not everyone can be a custodian or word perfect, but we can all learn some ritual and we can all work on understanding and applying the message behind the allegory of our ritual. [Excerpt from an article in NE Mason, Spring 2014, Grand Lodge of Nebraska and reprinted in the Grand Lodge Bulletin of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F. & A.M., Volume 116 Number 4, December 2014.] Reprinted from SCRL December 2015

8 Who Sets Your Masonic Moral Standard? By David A. McCuistion 32 KCCH, Valley of Everett Morals. Ethics. Standards of conduct. Corruption. Sexual harassment. Bullying at all levels of society. Open sex on television and in movies. Pornography. Unwed mothers and divorced Moms. These are all variations of moral and ethical depravity that have lowered the moral standard of societies around the world, especially in the United States of America. Freemasonry a system of morality can answer these and other questions, and provide an avenue of ritual, education, philosophy, principles and practices that lead to a better man and a more utopian society. If this is so, why are we experiencing decreases in membership, and similarly decreases in Lodge attendance and activities? Could it be because we have forgotten our roots, from whence we came, and given up on our quest for more light in Masonry? This important question is just as significant as the others asked in this article. Are situational morals and ethics compatible with Natural Law standard of morals and ethics? How does the Golden Rule apply to moral conduct and behaviors? Who sets your moral standard? So what is the Moral Standard that governs societies? Is it whatever society will believe and tolerate? Does the concept of Liberty that permits and/or tolerates amoral and immoral behaviors set a lower moral and ethical standard? Is there an acceptable moral and ethical Natural Law of humanity that governs how we demonstrate how to act morally and ethically? Or, do moral and ethical standards become a living code of which individual members of a nation s society can change according to their own maturing value system that results in a lessening of these standards according to the will and pleasures of individuals regardless of the consequences and health of civilization; such as has happened in America and other countries. Is the increase in at least 25 exist today - sexually transmitted diseases (STD)(oral, anal and intercourse), deformed infants worldwide, and HIV/Aids a result of the decrease in moral and ethical standards and behaviors? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that Gay, Bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) have higher rates of STDs, and that adolescents and young adults, years old, account for half of all new STD infections. 1 Is this due to an increase in population or a decline in the moral standards of behaviors among people? A look at the historical value system of moral and ethical standards indicates the latter more true than a mere increase in populations. Natural Law sets the standards of moral conduct among humankind. Aristotle, Plato, Hobbs, Saint Thomas Aquinas, The Stoics, Immanuel Kant and Jesus discussed and proclaimed acceptable moral and ethical standards. Societies down through history have functioned under a standard of morals, ethics, and acceptable civil behaviors. When a societal standard of morality and ethics began to decline, Roman Empire is the most common example that society eventually ceases to exist. Philosophical Thoughts When discussing morals and ethics, there is much philosophical thought and writing around the good versus evil (or bad, or others, if you will) as it relates to human beings, their thoughts, actions, beliefs, values and ideals that results in their behaviors as it relates to the good of mankind in general; which includes men and women. A short review shows that a good behavior that benefits, improve, or contribute to individuals growth is the preferred behavior. That evil, bad, other behaviors do not lead to the preservation of societal good for everyone. In each case the argument of subjectivism i.e. the doctrine that there are no absolute moral values but those that are variable in the same was as taste, or being subjective to some desire or situation or result seems to be the preferred choice. Natural Law is a moral theory of jurisprudence, or justice, which maintains that law, should be based on morality and ethics. Natural Law holds that the law is based on what is correct. Natural Law is discovered, or reasoned, through the conscious use of reason, and the resultant choice between good and evil. Therefore, Natural Law finds its power in discovering certain universal standards of morality and ethics. 2 Plato was one of the founders of the theories of Natural Law, which for him was based on law of reason because the law of reason is the ideal law. Therefore, Plato reasoned that the law of reason is the law of nature. 3 Plato rejected the idea of subjectivism about the good. He held that it related more to the possibilities of human achievement. This position would lead one to adhere to the idea that an activity that prevented personal achievement would be considered as against human nature. 4 Aristotle rejected the subjectivism about the good, holding that what makes it true or good is not that there is a relation to desire, but that it relates to the wholeness or completeness of a being, which depended on that being s nature. 5 Aristotle, in using the law of reason, wrote that Natural Law is nothing else than the intention of nature of things expressed through the natural tendency of things. 6 Hobbs view, while not to reject the subjectivism ideal because humans have common desires, which can include a wide and diverse variety of thoughts and behaviors. However, of these desires, the single most important was about self-preservation, which was his single natural law of good. One can see here that the many pitfalls Continued on Page 9

9 Who Sets Your Moral Masonic Standard? Continue from page 8 of amoral activity or behaviors tolerated today would run counter to the self-preservation principle. 7 Saint Thomas Aquinas thoughts and writing on Natural Law developed through his studies of scholars before him, including Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and even other Christian mediaeval scholars. He believes that natural law results from reason that is directed toward the common good. Aquinas idea of Natural Law evolved from the eternal law, which came from divine law. He described Natural Law as nothing else but a participation of the eternal law in a rational creature. For him, the most fundamental principle of Natural Law is to do good and avoid evil. 8 The Stoics believed that the Natural Law indifferent to the divine or natural source of the law. To them, there was a rational and purposeful order of the universe, i.e. a divine or eternal law. Therefore, rational human beings lived in accordance with the divine law, what in turn was the Natural Law. This stated that actions resulted by virtues.** These virtues were the good of society. 9 Immanuel Kant s Categorical Imperative states that one acts only on the maxim which you can at the same time will to be a universal law, i.e. a Natural Law (Oxford Guide to Philosophy, 2005, p. 468). Hence, any desire, action, or will to be moral must be in accordance to the Natural Law. 10 Jesus and the Golden Rule directs that We do unto others as they would that you do unto them. As such, we do morally toward everyone as we would want them morally to treat us. Therefore, ethical behavior is a reciprocal behavior one to another, which deals with right or ethical behavior to and from each other. As mankind has evolved over the centuries, free will has further expanded to include many thoughts that, on the one hand, have loosened the boundaries of what is believed to be good, largely justified through the ideal of pleasure, often times negligent in thought of benefit, consequence and good. On the other hand, technology and social materialism has certainly enabled the relaxation of values and the practical application of a virtuous life of good, especially good for all others in the world. These changes in individual thought have come about largely through these technological advances, the entertainment media being a major transporter and justification for behavioral changes, to the point that society today believes that morals and ethical behaviors are right and good if I believe that they are in my pleasurable favor, and I see nothing wrong with such behaviors. This belief system has further deviated from the moral and ethical value system professed since early times by the great philosophers, which have contributed to the longevity of nations of the world. Furthermore, this deviance has resulted in the increase of health issues, including those cited above, that can only be classified as evil and not for the good of mankind. In her article of May 24, 2014, Hanne Nabintu Herland: The Moral Deconstruction of the West, Hanne cites several instances where the decline of morals and ethics have contributed to the destruction of societies throughout history. She states, Decline begins when a civilization ceases to emphasize the very ideals that initially resulted in expansion and productivity. These are commonly replaced by alternative values that focus on enjoyment, rest and relaxation. In other words, amoral values that lead to the destruction of the society. 11 The challenge for us today is to determine which moral and ethical value system of virtues is best for society as a whole, and thereby, adopt them as our personal behaviors toward all mankind, just as we would expect all mankind to adopt toward us. All of which leads me to the foundation of my original question: Who sets your moral and ethical standards of behavior? Will it be standards of morals and ethics identified as the best for you personally and for mankind as a whole? Or, will you follow the current trend and practice demonstrated and modeled by today s technologically advanced principles of pleasure, open and tolerant belief systems that will inevitably lead to the destruction of our society. Furthermore, will you contribute to your Lodges, the Grand Lodge of Washington as well as Scottish and York Rite bodies, success and ultimate growth through the education of new masons in the philosophy of our rituals and system of morality; will you emulate and model the principles set forth in our ideals for all the world to see; and will you actively participate in your Lodges activities to insure a model of good in your community to demonstrate the behaviors of a Good Man and Mason? The Choice is yours. As for me, I prefer the foundational ideals upon which our Country, the United States of America were propounded and established. I prefer to model and live by the Code of Morals and Ethics set forth in our Masonic and Rite rituals, our philosophy, our educational applications, and our principles of what it means to be a practicing Mason. Only you can answer these questions My Brothers. You must decide. Is living the Masonic Standard worth your efforts? References: ibid ibid ibid ibid. 10. The Oxford Guide To Philosophy (2005); Ted Honderich, Editor moral-desconstruction-of-the-west/

10 Valley of Everett S P E C I A L E V E N T S p a g e Ceremony of Remembrance Friday, April 15, 2016 At the new Valley of Everett Scottish Rite Center 2431 Rucker Avenue Everett, Washington 6:30 PM Punch Bowl 7:00 PM Dinner Members, Ladies and Guests are Cordially invited to attend RSVP Terry Or to terrygrove50@yahoo.com Annual Mothers Day Brunch Sunday, May 8, 2016 Valley of Everett Scottish Rite Center 2431 Rucker Avenue 10:00AM 1:00PM Members, Ladies and Guests are Cordially invited to attend

11 Valley of Everett Calendar of Events Reserve Friday Evenings for your Scottish Rite Mar 11 Friday Lodge of Perfection 6:30 PM Confer 14th Degree Mar 13 Sunday 1:00 PM Board of Trustee Meeting Sunday 2:00 PM Executive Council Meeting Mar 18 Friday Dark Grand Lodge Leadership workshop Mar 25 Friday Dark Good Friday Apr 08 Friday Lodge of Perfection 6:30 PM Confer 15th Degree Apr 10 Sunday 1:00 PM Board of Trustee Meeting Sunday 2:00 PM Executive Council Meeting Apr 15 Friday Chapter of Rose Croix, - Ceremony of Remembrance 6:30 PM Bunch Bowl 7:00 PM Dinner Apr 22 Friday Council of Kadosh 6:30PM Buffet Confer 18th Degree DISTRICT EIGHT MASONIC HAPPENINGS March 2016 Date Day Time Lodge 1 Tuesday 7:00PM Sultan Monroe 160 Event Stated Meeting 6:00 PM Dinner 6:30 PM Crystal 122 Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Dinner 2 Wednesday 6:00 PM Centennial 25 Stated Meeting - OVDD 5 Saturday 8:00 AM SLOC Peninsular 95 Host 8 Tuesday 6:30 PM Damascus 199 Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Dinner 9 Wednesday 6:30 PM Arlington 129 Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Dinner OVDD 6:30 PM Alpha 212 Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Dinner 10 Thursday 6:30 PM Peninsular 95 Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Dinner OVDD 14 Monday 6:30 PM Everett 137 Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Dinner OVDD 15 Tuesday 7:00PM Sultan Monroe 160 Stated Meeting 6:00 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Crystal 122 Stated Meeting 6:00 PM Dinner 16 Wednesday 7:30 PM Centennial 25 Stated :Meeting 19 Saturday 12:00PM Skykomish 259 Lunch 12:00 2:00PM Stated Meeting OVDD 22 Monday 6:30 PM Damascus 199 6:30PM Dinner 7:30PM-Logger Degree 23 Wednesday 6:30 PM Arlington 129 Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Alpha 212 Stated Meeting 24 Tuesday 6:30 PM Damascus 199 Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Dinner DISTRICT NINE MASONIC HAPPENINGS March 2016 Date Day Time Lodge Event 1 Tuesday 6:30 PM Mount Baker 36 6:30 P M Dinner Stated Meeting 3 Thursday 6:30 PM Burlington-United 93 6:30 P M Dinner Stated Meeting 8 Tuesday 6:30 PM Fidalgo 77 6:30 P M Dinner Stated Meeting 10 Thursday 7:30 PM Camanio 19 6:30 P M Dinner Stated Meeting 15 Tuesday 7:30 PM Whidby Island 15 6:30 P M Dinner Stated Meeting 17 Thursday 7:30 PM Garfield 41 6:30 P M Dinner Stated Meeting 22 Tuesday 6:30 PM Langley 218 6:30 P M Dinner Stated Meeting 23 Wednesday 7:30 PM District 9 LAO Fidalgo Host Reg. Meeting Note: Brethren take the time to visit your local Blue Lodges and share with them the opportunities that are available to them in the Valley of Everett Scottish Rite

12 Valley of Everett Scottish Rite Temple 2431 Rucker Avenue Everett, WA March Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage paid Mt Vernon, WA Permit No. 147 Sunday, March 13, 2016 Daylight Saving Time Begins Don t forget to advance your By one hour What is Scottish Rite? Although there is no higher degree than that of Master Mason, the 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite serve to enrich the philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge. A Mason who chooses to further his Masonic experience by becoming a 32 Scottish Rite Mason will be expanding upon the fundamental principles of Freemasonry. The moral and ethical lessons will allow him to be constantly reminded of his duty to God, Family, Country, and Fellow Man. IN THIS ISSUE From the Personal Rep Words From the Secretary, March s Birthdays Upcoming Events Calendar of Events Masonic Outreach Services RiteCare Of Washington Washington Masonic Relief Fund Created RWVentilator, By RWB Jim Mendoza The Importance of Ritual, By PGM Jim Hauder Who Sets Your Masonic Moral Standards, By David McQuiston Remembrance and Renewal, by Ill, George R, Adams SCOTTISH RITE WEB SITES Everett Valley, Scottish Rite Orient of Washington Scottishritewa.org DATES TO REMEMBER Valley of Everett Ceremony of Remembrance 2431 Rucker Avenue Everett, WA Friday, April 15, :30PM Punch Bowl 7:00 PM Dinner Members, Ladies and Guests are cordially invited to attend. RSVP or terrygrove50@yahoo.com Valley of Everett Mothers Day Brunch 2431 Rucker Avenue Everett, WA Sunday, May 8, :00AM - 1:00PM Members, Ladies and Guests are cordially invited to attend. Valley of Everett Contact List Carl Smith, 33º, Personal Rep of the S.G.I.G. Telephone: (360) Umpire@wavecable.com Terry Grove, 32, KCCH General Secretary Telephone: terrygrove50@yahoo.com Kenneth Cage, 32º Almoner Telephone: eckc1@comcast.net Kenneth Thompson, 32º, KCCH, Editor Telephone: Knthom32@Comcast.net