Building Boaz, a book review by Brother Fred Milliken

Nagy is the Socrates of Freemasonry, asking question after question after question. It is very fortunate that in Building Boaz we get answer after answer after answer.  Nagy would be the first to tell you that these are not all the answers. There are many more which each individual Brother needs to discover on his own. But the beauty of Building Boaz is that it gets the new Mason in the frame of mind to make inquires and explore meanings  – to ask questions and to search for answers and to get some answers. In so doing he cements the morality of Masonry into his inner core. That inner core will help to govern his outward actions. Many a time I have seen and heard of men who carry themselves above reproach. Their light shines to everybody they come in contact with. Often those around such a person want to know how he got that way. Chances are really good that person is a Freemason who has studied his Craft, built a firm foundation of Masonic understanding and strengthened his inner core."

"That’s what Building Boaz is all about. This is not only a book that should be in every Mason’s library it should be presented by the Lodge to every new Entered Apprentice upon the completion of his First Degree. It also should be used for Masonic education for all in the Lodge Room, reinforcing those values that make Masonry truly a way of life."

Read the entire book review here: http://freemasoninformation.com/2015/12/building-boaz/

Second New Video: Building Builders - Part 2

Building Builders Video - 12/17/2011

Hello Fellow Travelers!

Brothers,

I have another distinct honor of being a featured presenter on the "Worldwide Exemplification of Freemasonry" project sponsered by the GL of Indiana (WEOFM.ORG). My part of this project will be released "into the wild" tonight --Saturday December 17, 2011 at 8PM (20:00 DST).

This presentation is called "The Coaches Coach: Building Builders - Part 2." Like part 1, it is a 27 minute fast paced audio-visual production that is filled with many overlapping themes.

You will want to become well acquainted with your rewind button as the rapid fire unfolding of information will at many times have at least two or more directions presented at one time.

Enjoy!

The Coaches Coach: Building Builders - Part 2 from www.WEOFM.org

Fraternally and Sincerely,

Bro. Coach N

New Video! The Coaches Coach: Building Builders

Building Builders Video - 04/23/2011

Hello Fellow Travelers!

Brothers,

I have the distinct honor of being a featured presenter on the "Worldwide Exemplification of Freemasonry" project sponsored by the GL of Indiana (WEOFM.ORG). My part of this project will be released "into the wild" tonight --Saturday April 23, 2011 at 8PM (20:00 DST).

This presentation is called "The Coaches Coach: Building Builders." It is a 50 minute fast paced audio-visual production that is filled with many overlapping themes.

You will want to become well acquainted with your rewind button as the rapid fire unfolding of information will at many times have at least two or more directions presented at one time.

Enjoy!

 

Fraternally and Sincerely,

Bro. Coach N

ps - If you look carefully, this free public video contains at least two spelling errors and one grammar error, all corrected in the DVD edition found at Building Builders.

 

Testing Our Entered Apprentices and More

Building Boaz - 10/1/2010

Hello Fellow Travelers!

Here's something to Perpend in your in-between hours.  Most current methods used in the USA to test for Proficiency of Entered Apprentice Work rely upon Candidates showing that they have memorized something and can share what they have memorized to the satisfaction of those testing them. From a systems standpoint, such standardization might seem fair and predictable, but it doesn’t serve the purpose of making good men better.

Let me share with you a perspective that may not be common among Masons, but a perspective that should be – according to what Masonic Ritual espouses.

Masonry has far too many improperly Prepared Masons advancing from Entered Apprentice to Fellow Craft. How can I say this with any validity? Even better: How can anyone tell?

The proof is all around us. Improperly Prepared Fellow Craft Masons and above continuously show outward signs of Vices and Superfluities and equally show that Virtues are lacking.

What are the telltale signs? Here are just a few.

1) When a Mason has "Vice and Superfluity" issues:

1. He is Burdened unnecessarily.
2. These Burdens negatively affect his Resources (as in his overall “Strength”; and we are not talking about his “physical” strength).
3. These Burdens prevent him from maximizing the Return on his Investments, no matter what the direction that investment may take.
4. Furthermore, you will see signs that his Burdens cause harm to both himself and others.

2) When a Mason has "Virtue" issues:

1. He lacks temperance and hence doesn't limit himself when he rightfully should. Self-control is a must but he won’t show such control because he has yet to develop it fully.
2. He lacks prudence and hence doesn't make prudent choices. Far-sighted sensible care will not be one of his outward expressions as he makes life and business choices.
3. He lacks fortitude and hence doesn't endure things that men who have fortitude do without question. Lacks in resilient and purposeful courage prevent the necessary staying power that brings about long term results.
4. He lacks justice and hence lacks a foundation necessary for dealing fairly with others. His dealing with others shows that games are unfavorable tilted in his favor, no matter how he may involve himself.
5. He lacks faith and hence believes in probable things that can only be proved and refuses to invest in the possibilities things that will benefit most and are worthy of believing in. His beliefs shall be based solely upon that which is concrete and will lack any choice that cannot be backed up by indisputable fact.
6. He lacks hope and hence wanders as a boat without an anchor. He shall not invest in things that are worthwhile unless they are a sure thing.
7. He lacks love and hence invests not in things that are lovable. His manner will not show acceptance of others for who they are but will be based solely upon what they have to offer him.

What gets in the way of both the instruction and the proofing of Entered Apprentice Proficiency? Part of the problem is that most Fellow Craft Masons and above do not know how to clearly and succinctly state what a vice or superfluity is, how they are similar and how they differ. If Fellow Craft Masons and above don’t know this, how are they going to communicate this to Candidates who need to Work on them much less be able to spot them in candidates when they are clearly present? These same Masons have equal inability in clearly and succinctly stating what Virtues are, how they Strengthen men and how to go about integrating these Virtues within men’s daily habits.

If they did know and do this, they would realize “how” Masonry makes good men better! For one, Properly Prepared Entered Apprentice Masons are less inclined to judge inappropriately. If they did, they are more inclined to correct that mistake appropriately. They are also more likely to exhibit the qualities of a true Brother rather then someone who merely holds the title but lacks the Character such title should denote.

 

How do Masons move toward cultivating good men into better men? The answers lay not in what passes as acceptable catechism.

The answers lay in using catechism that is not standardized by a Jurisdiction.

This makes sense. Standardized Catechism is the result of a machine process that “punch presses out” candidates like Masonic widgets on a production line. What you get from this process are Masons who tend to the very Masonic Machines that created them as a result and not the Masonic Spirits it was intended to nurture.

What exactly is Catechism? Catechism is merely “opportunity” training for both the mentor and student. It affords them the opportunity to "venture off the assembly line" and to interact and discern if the student has truly applied the lessons of the Ritual. The Catechism is there so that such exploration occurs.

Far too many Brothers unfortunately focus on the task at hand – learning and teaching the "officially accepted" catechism – and not the true task at hand and loose the opportunity to do the true Work. What is the true Work? It’s using that Catechism time to explore the lessons of the First Degree and to determine what needs to be done to assure that the entrusted student has both learned these lessons and done this so well that he lives them.

The Official Catechism encouraged and even forces time to be invested between Brothers. Good instructors realize this and use this time prudently to discern the student's character development, not just his memorization of the catechism at hand.

Mentors who fail to use the time they spend with their students to assure such important activities occur, waste their time, fail their student and fail our Craft.

Perhaps a different system of training and evaluating our Masonic Mentors might help bring about some valuable change for our Fraternity as a whole. This might lead to Building Boaz for everyone!

Fraternally and Sincerely,

Bro. Coach N

Building Books Makes Scottish Rite Journal - ONCE AGAIN!

Building Series - 9/12/2010

Hello Fellow Travelers!

I receive quite a suprise today. After asking a recent book purchaser how he heard about my books, he replied:

I'm exploring freemasonry and James Tresner recommended your first

two books in his book reviews on the Scottish Rite Journal website.

I felt oddly confused reading this as I recall that Brother James Tresner had only written one review in the Scottish Rite Journal last year and that was on "Building Hiram" and not on my second book "Building Boaz."

Being curious, I did a quick search on the web and found that Brother Tresner had indeed written another review, made generous comment on both my books and it was in the most recent SRJ book review for the Oct. 2010 edition. He wrote the following:

General Masonic Education

Building Hiram: Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education and Building Boaz: Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education, Volume 2 by Dr. John S. Nagy (buildinghiram.blogspot.com) —

1. I find both these books especially helpful in Masonic education. [italics added]
2. Written in a Q & A format, these little books explore many of the ideas of the Blue Lodge Degrees.
3. They provide a lot of insight and more or less “trick” you into thinking more deeply about the symbols and structures of Freemasonry.
4. You can find them on the Internet.

I've already sent a quick "thankyou" note to Brother Tresner for assisting our Brothers in finding and obtaining Further Light.

For those of you who have come to this link to find out more, you can find these books at the following links:

Building Hiram / Building Boaz / Building Athens

Fraternally,

Brother Coach N

Tolerance Revisited

Building in General - 09/04/2010

Hello Fellow Travelers!

I’m posting something here that may go against the accepted grain of some Mason’s entrenched beliefs.

Tolerance is no more a virtue than Intolerance is a vice. Moreover, the opposite is true, too. Neither are a vice nor virtue in and of themselves.

Let me elaborate just a bit: By their nature, Virtues strengthen and support and Vices weaken and burden. Neither Tolerance nor Intolerance does either of these.

Therefore, you may query as to what “Tolerance” is and you would ask for good reason. So much of what Masons hear about it is lauded over the purpose it exists and to the point where it is truly unreasonably applied.

To hear Masons speak of Tolerance, one might assume that there are only two possibilities:

Intolerance --- Tolerance
...where “Tolerance” is an expected mode of behavior, specifically toward the religious beliefs of others and any “Intolerance” should not be “Tolerated.”

However, we all know that there are many more possibilities under the heavens than these two behavioral choices. Let me expand upon this further.

Tolerance is one of four words used to denote expressions or behaviors that occur when people are faced with something in which they must deal.

That group of four expressions covers a continuum that stretches from rejection through to acceptance. When adding resistance and tolerance to that continuum, we have four behaviors that people use to deal with situations.

Let me say this again: Tolerance is only a small part of a continuum of behavior based upon differing response/reaction choices. In a rudimentary continuum, Rejection, Resistance and Acceptance flank Tolerance.

This continuum appears like this:
Rejection --- Resistance --- Tolerance --- Acceptance
Which could be viewed as an expanded version of this:
Intolerance --- Tolerance

However, the later version of these last two isn’t the former version of the four, since “Intolerance” doesn’t capture the subtleties of “rejection or resistance” and “Tolerance” doesn’t capture the subtleties of “Acceptance.”

What was previously stated about Tolerance and Intolerance applies here too. Each one of these four expressions is not a virtue or vice either. They are simple behavioral choices that one may use in responses/reactions to life, and this includes those behaviors toward people with which one shares one’s life.

These four should also not be confused with Attitude, which in and of itself consists of seven key attributes*, of which only one is manifested by the aforementioned behaviors.

What though can be said of the virtues that support one’s choices to respond with any one of these four? My observations tell me that the Four Cardinal and Three Theological Virtues help guide one's choice to either reject, resist, tolerate and accept.

1. These Seven virtues may call a person to reject what is before them when it is wrong for all involved. Don’t these Virtues help to discern this?
2. They may as well call that same person to resist something forced upon him that is not right even if it is right for someone else. And, perhaps rightfully so!
3. Yet, if what is right for one is not right for another and it is not being forced upon the person whom it is not right for, these virtues may lead someone to express tolerance. Would this be considered relative?
4. Acceptance may unfold when what is at play is right for all involved and these virtues support this. Yet, without a firm foundation in the Seven virtues, could some things be accepted wrongfully?

These conditions outlined above are relative to whom is involved and the values that each involved hold as sacred for themselves and others. “Relative” because it is rare that any two people hold the same values much less agree upon how these values should be honored. The key though lay not in the choice of each of these four options…
 
Rejection --- Resistance --- Tolerance --- Acceptance   …but in how each is expressed. Each response/reaction is appropriate under the right conditions and inappropriate under the wrong conditions. Additionally, that key may never be inserted into the locks th at hold people apart because agreements upon honorable behavior are as varied as the faces of humanity.

Knowing this, I chose to accept that there will be disagreement and, when this occurs, I shall simply be open to better understand what others accept as honorable behavior or not. Once I think I understand, I may make effort to come to some amicable agreement, most of the time. Of course, I reserve the right to hold back on this if I believe it will work in everyone’s best interest when we don’t come to an amicable agreement. Sometimes this is appropriate too.

At one time, I defined “Tolerance” as the ability to withstand any amount of irritation, agitation or violation, perceived real or not, without responding or reacting in a devaluing or negative way toward the perceived source of that irritation, agitation or violation.


I should have expanded that definition to include all four possibilities and temper them with the Seven Virtues specified in the EA Ritual.

1. “Rejection” and “Resistance” are saying “no” and doing so in a valuing, honorable and respectful way toward all those involved.
2. “Tolerance” and “Acceptance” are saying “yes” and doing so in a valuing, honorable and respectful way toward all those involved.

People, Masons included, seem to focus upon the one behavior, Tolerance, though. It’s as if it is the sole option in this world of humans. It is not. It is but one of at least four that we as Masons should keep in mind as we navigate the minefield that is created by much misconception. This is where education helps -- more specifically "Masonic Education."

Throughout Masonic Education, “discrimination” is something that is a valuable and appreciated skill. Much of the first two Blue Lodge Degrees makes effort to cultivate this skill within Masons. As with all skill development, it is just as important to know when to apply it and when not to apply it. This too is something that is cultivated within the first degree of Blue Lodge Masonry.

So, when you see Masons who have done the Work that Ritual points to, you most likely see the entire continuum of behavior ranging from rejection through to acceptance played out before you in very righteous ways, all based upon their finely cultivated ability to discriminate appropriately depending upon the situation before them.

In addition, if you perceive that these same Brothers push the envelop of unacceptability in some situations where other Brothers are involved, you can almost guarantee that they’re simply messing with their heads and for all the right reasons.

I suggest that you play along. You may very well learn something new and valuable about yourself and your Brothers.

Fraternally,

Brother Coach N

(Source: Pages 140-146; Building Cement - Uncommonly Concrete Masonic Education)

* Values, Intents, Perceptions, Beliefs, Emotions, Actions (behaviors) and Results

----

I'm proud to say that this article eventually became an appendix with my book, Building Cement.

Building Boaz Reviewed by Bro. Terence Satchell

Building Hiram - 10/23/09


Hello Fellow Travelers!

Here is a Building Boaz review from Brother Terence Satchell that was posted last evening in the review section of Masonic Central:

"Building Boaz facilitates the advancement of

Masonic comprehension for both the newly initiated Apprentice as well as the experienced Master. ...  I will personally be making Building Boaz required reading for all of my future Masonic proteges and encourage all Freemasons to read this book..."
-- Bro. Terence Satchell

Building Boaz
October 22, 2009 by The Euphrates

I have come to find that modern Masonic literature can be compared to the preparation of food. Some Masonic literature is too light to satisfy the appetite and too bland to excite the senses. Other works on the subject of the fraternity are too rich and overpowering to the palate and leave the reader with a case of indigestion as he struggles to comprehend the knowledge contained within them. It takes an expert chef—or in this case author—to find the right combination of ingredients so that the flavor is complex but not overwhelming and the reader is left full but not gorged.

Dr. John Nagy has found this balance again in Building Boaz, the second volume in his Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education series. Building Boaz focuses on the symbolism of the Entered Apprentice degree using the Inquiry-Response format of the time honored Masonic catechism. It examines the lessons taught to us in Entered Apprentice degree and expands upon these themes in order to unveil a deep, intertwined network of the order’s philosophical precepts.

Building Boaz facilitates the advancement of Masonic comprehension for both the newly initiated Apprentice as well as the experienced Master. The book challenges the reader to form a deeper understanding of the initiatic rituals throughout the book. Dr. Nagy finds a way to connect Masonic ritual with the Bible, the Nag Hammadi Scrolls, Greek mythology, classical literature, and other great sources of moral instruction without making the subject matter cumbersome to even the most novice student of Masonry. This makes Building Boaz a refreshing and insightful review of the first degree of Masonry.

Dr. Nagy’s efforts have created an educational product which fills a void in today’s Masonic literature. For hundreds of years, the Freemason’s catechism has formed the backbone of the institution’s moral instruction. The catechism has instilled the basic principles of the fraternity in the minds of it’s initiates and served as the gateway to further exploration of Freemasonry’s allegorical concepts. However, in modern Freemasonry we find that the catechism is often seen in one of two opposing viewpoints: archaic and out of date or as the be-all and end-all of Masonic instruction. Building Boaz, like Nagy’s previous work Building Hiram, restores the catechism to its rightful place in Masonic education as both the staple of the Mason’s instructional diet and the springboard to a higher understanding of Masonic teachings. Not only does this format make the information contained within the book easy to comprehend for the reader, but it also allows the book to be used in the lodge for Masonic education without any further digestion. This eliminates the intimidation which many modern Freemasons face when trying to develop an educational presentation for their assemblies.

I will personally be making Building Boaz required reading for all of my future Masonic proteges and encourage all Freemasons to read this book and address the questions that it will cultivate in their minds. I hope that Building Boaz may enhance your Masonic experience as much as it has enhanced mine.

You can purchase the book here.

----------------

Thank you Brother Satchell!

Faternally,

Brother Coach N.

Building Boaz Scavenger Hunt

Building Boaz - 10/4/09

Hello Fellow Travelers!

33 Questions for “Soon to Pass” Entered Apprentice Masons to Answer

(Based upon the book: Building Boaz – Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education – Volume 2 by Dr. John S. Nagy)

Before the Entered Apprentice Mason you are mentoring Passes to Fellow Craft, you might want to have them respond to these questions first. If you have Passed beyond Entered Apprentice, you might want to review them yourself to see if the mentoring you received was sufficient enough for you to answer them.

1) According to Ritual, what is the purpose to which Candidates Enter Masonry? (Chapter 6)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the Entered Apprentice Work’s purpose.

2) How has Masonry been defined in the past and what is the central theme of the Work of Entered Apprentice Masons? (Introduction, Chapters 1, 2, 12)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon defining Masonry, understanding the Work they must do and what they are to accomplish.

3) To honor the purpose of Entry, what must Entered Apprentice Masons Work upon, what tasks must be completed and what results should be expected? (Introduction, Chapter 2)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the object of the Work, the tasks and the outcome of that Work.

4) What is an Oblong Square and how does it point to the Work of Entered Apprentice Masons? (Chapter 6)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon symbols point toward the Work they must do and the meaning behind such symbols.

5) What side of the Oblong Square is shortest in the EA degree? (Chapter 6)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon how symbols can be read.

6) What was the name of the Mountain to which Masons must Build their Temples to the Lord, what does its name mean and what is its significance to Masonic Work? (Chapter 2)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the symbol, the meaning behind it and upon what the Work is founded.

7) Based upon the history of the Masonic Temple Mount, what does the checkered pavement represent? (Chapter 7)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the connection between the Foundation and the Work to be done.

8) What are Vices and Superfluities? (Chapter 7)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon understanding the significance of these two words in the Work they must do.

9) What is the common thread that both Vices and Superfluities have? (Chapter 7)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon what these two word have in common in helping them identify their significance in the Work they are to do.

10) What is the main difference between a Vice and a Superfluity? (Chapter 7)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon what distinguishes one from another.

11) How do Vices and Superfluities weaken Masons? (Chapter 7)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the impact of these two upon Masons.

12) What are the names of the classical Vices? (Chapter 7)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the classical Vices and their characteristics.

13) How do the agricultural terms “Threshing” and “Winnowing” relate to the foundation of the Masonic Temple and the Work Entered Apprentice Masons must do? (Chapter 2)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the historic background of the Temple Mount location and its relevance to all Masonic Work.

14) What four biblical characters had significant events occur for them upon the Mountain where our first Masonic Temple resided, what were these significant events and what is their relationship to our Masonic Work? (Chapter 2)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon significance events surrounding four Biblical Characters and these events relationship to Masonic Work,

15) How do the Square and Compasses relate to Heaven and Earth? (Chapter 8)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon a symbolic relationship that is significant to Masonic Work.

16) How does Jacob’s dream relate to the Work that Masons must do to Strengthen themselves? (Chapters 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon how Jacob’s dream relates to Entered Apprentice Strengthening Work.

17) What Work do the rungs or steps of Jacob’s Ladder relate to within Ritual? (Chapter 8)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the significance of these rungs or steps to Entered Apprentice Work.

18) Whom do the Ladder’s two stingers relate to within Masonic Ritual? (Chapters 4, 8)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon how these two stringers symbolically support their Work.

19) What do the key and the five pedal rose signify to Masons? (Chapter 5)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon their symbolic significance to the Work Entered Apprentices must do.

20) How do the Key and Rose relate to Masonic Obligation? (Chapter 5)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon how these two symbols remind Masons of what actions they are obligated to honor.

21) What benefits will be visited upon Masons when honoring what the key or rose represent? (Chapter 5)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the benefits they receive when they practice the discipline these two symbols represent.

22) When focused inward, what do the symbols of the key and rose ask Masons to seek? (Chapters 5, 11)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the hidden responsibilities these two symbols require them to accept and complete.

23) What two phrases adorning the temple at Delphi best express the Work results of EA Masons? (Chapter 5, 11)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon how ancient the messages are that they are required to understand and heed in their Work.

24) What is the root of the word “Virtue” and how are Virtues spelled out in Entered Apprentice Ritual? (Chapters 6, 8, 9, 10)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon what Virtues represent and remembering and recalling what they are according to Ritual.

25) What are the names of the two groups of Virtues spoken of in Ritual? (Chapters 8, 9, 10)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon the two major groups these Virtues are divided into.

26) How do these two groups of Virtues differ from each other and what aspect of Masons do they support? (Chapter 4, 8)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon knowing how these two major groups differ from one another and what they Strengthen within the Masons who practice them.

27) What does practicing any Virtue do for Masons? (Chapters 8, 9, 10)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon what Virtues do for Masons who practice them.

28) What Fifth Perfect Point is implied by three Virtues, what are their common threads and how do these common threads help Masons determine if a Candidate should be let through the West Gate? (Chapter 10)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon an implied Fifth Perfect Point, the three Virtues associated with it, the common threads these Virtues have and the significance these threads have in discerning acceptability of Candidates.

29) What does the Thurnell represent for Entered Apprentice Masons and how does Broaching assist Entered Apprentice Masons in regard to the Work they must do? (Chapter 8)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon what the Thurnell represents in regard to the Work they need to do and how that Work can be assisted toward completion.

30) How is the flanked circle inculcated within Ritual? (Chapter 4)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon taking the symbol, looking for how that symbol is acted out in Lodge and the meaning behind it.

31) What Pillar signifies the end product of Entered Apprentice Masonic Work, whom does it represent, where is it symbolically inculcated within Ritual, how is it symbolically represented within the Lodge and where can it be found within the Volume of Sacred Law? (Chapter 4)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon a symbol which represents the end result of Entered Apprentice Work.

32) What does a ball or globe signify when atop a Pillar? (Chapter 4)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon symbolism that is not well known to modern day Masons.

33) What unique “Chamber,’ located outside the Lodge room, is widely used outside the United States of America but is not used in most Blue Lodge Masonry practiced within the United States and what Work does it emphasize. (Chapter 11)

• Intention: Focus Entered Apprentice Masons upon a tool that is used widely outside the United States in Entered Apprentice Rituals and its usefulness in the Work of all Masons.

Fraternally,

Brother Coach N.

Hiram's Baby Brother is Here!

Building Boaz - 09/26/09

Hello Fellow Travelers!

Building Boaz - Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 2 is now in print! I shipped the first pre-print ordered copies out yesterday.

The focus of Building Boaz is Building Strength and hence the name. It has an identical format as its older Brother Hiram.

Here are some tidbits about Boaz:

1. There are approximately 1264 I/R (Inquiry/Response) pairs within the book.
2. There are an average of over 100 I/R pairs per chapter.
3. There are over 50 ciphers sprinkled throughout the book.
4. The ciphers are a bit easier this go around. (Most are kept at an EA level.)
5. There are over 180 pages this time. That's ~10% more than his Brother Hiram.
6. The book has the same dimensions as his Brother Hiram -- Pocket Size!(4"x6.5")
7. This book is kept strictly at an EA level.
8. Brothers can use it to further their Masonic education efforts OR assist their
Brothers with theirs.
9. There are 12 distinct chapters.
10. There are plenty of illustrations as distinct as the focus of the book.
11. I've added a nice "presented to / by / date" page so it can be "gifted" to
Brothers easily.
12. I'm getting very good feedback on it so far.

If you want to get a sneak peak inside Building Boaz click on the link.

Here is an interview as well!

Fraternally,

Brother Coach N.