Random Building Thoughts - 2020-11-09

 

 

------------ COACH'S CHALLENGE -----------------

You are tasked with explaining to Candidates how the word "Free" was an anglicanized version of the french word "Franche/Franc".

1) Show how the word "Free" transitioned from meaning "excellent, superior, pure" to "unrestrained".
2) Show at least 7 medieval guilds that used the word "Free", or used the French versions of the word, in front of their occupation to communicate they were to top professionals in their field.
3) Explain to the candidates how using the original meaning of the word "free" changes one's view of "Free Masonry" and "Free & Accepted"?
Bonus: Show at least four (4) other words that mean the same thing as the word "Accepted" as it is used in "Free & Accepted".

-- Coach John S Nagy

Source:  http://www.coach.net/BuildingFreeMen.htm

------------- CONTINUED THEME ----------------

Here's one of my youtube channel's videos on this "free" theme: 

(Please "Subscribe!")

------------- PROVOKING THOUGHTS ----------------

 

Wisdom is not a Blessing Received Without Struggle.

 

 

------------- PROVOKING THOUGHTS ----------------

 

 

Those who earnestly and sincerely desire to recognize God's Patterned Creations in many realms must study the 7 Liberal Arts & Sciences. Such study transforms understandings and fills hearts with ample appreciation of His Work. One would think that this and this alone would be enough to inspire men to invest in such activities.  

 

 

 ------------- PROVOKING THOUGHTS ----------------

Thomas Gospel 3 - Jesus said, “If your leaders say to you, ‘Look, the Father’s kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the Father’s kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty.”

Thomas Gospel 51 - His disciples said to him, “When will the rest for the dead take place, and when will the new world come?” He said to them, “What you are looking forward to has come, but you don’t know it.”

Thomas Gospel 113 - His disciples said to him, “When will the kingdom come?” “It will not come by watching for it. It will not be said, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Rather, the Father’s kingdom is spread out upon the earth, and people don’t see it.”

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Luke 17:20-21 - And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

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“Know Yourself” was the central enlightening concept related to the religion of Apollo at Delphi, Greece. 

-------------- RUFFIAN THOUGHTS ---------------

 

 

 You may be a Ruffian if...

...you purposefully make self-centered decisions that cause loss to others.

  -------------- FOUNDATIONAL THOUGHTS ---------------

 

 

 

 

The Moral of Freemasonry's Story can be summarized in one word:  Morality
 

 

 

 

 

 

  -------------- FOUNDATION ---------------

 

Once you come to Understand the Workings of any Religious Organization, you also see how Blatantly Obvious this Pattern is in all Others. More Importantly, you Realize how Utterly Responsible you are for Creating and then Following Mythologies that Best Exemplify your Truest Callings.

http://www.coach.net/TCU.htm

 

-------------- HUMOR ---------------

 

 

 

ARE YOU ONE OF THE GATEKEEPERS

 

-------------- HUMOR ---------------

 

  

 

FILED UNDER: The Grumpy Past Master's Daughter

 

 

 

 -------------- DAILY TEASE ---------------

 

 

 

It's all explained in Chapter XIII - The First Freemason

(Supportive Comments Welcomed!)


http://www.coach.net/TCU.htm

 

 

 -------------- END ---------------

 Be Well and Travel Light!

-- Coach Nagy ;-)

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A Brother Asks: About the Highest Degree Post

A Brother Comments: Coach, a great blog about the highest degree in Masonry.

 

My Response: Thanks!  It sure was a lot of fun researching and putting it together.

 

He Continues: There's a bit of confusion in the Temple though.

 

My Response:  There usually is when Babel's Tower is still being built.

 

He continues: Are you saying that the Master Mason is a rank and not the last & sublime degree of our Craft system?

 

My Response: Yes.  That is exactly what I implied. 

 

He Continues: Please explain this.

 

My Response: If Fellows of the Craft did the Work that they were supposed to do, as spelled out within the dominant Preston-Webb Ritual practiced within the USA , then the Master's degree becomes a celebration and acknowledgement of what each Fellow of the Craft has Achieved and each "proficient" member comes into the Master's degree as "The Master's Word"; not someone still seeking it.

 

As it is now, it is a degree bestowing unearned rank where a Substitute is provided because the candidate is not "The Master's Word" and he hasn't a clue as to what the Ritual is intended to point out. 

He Continues: What's that?

My Response: He is a Ruffian.

 

He Continues: I understand your historical lesson that prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, there's a strong likelihood that there was just a two degree system: The Entered Apprentice & Fellow Craft degrees.

 

My Response: Thanks!  But if you look carefully as to what was shared in the original post, Freemasonry truly was a one degree system when it entered the Grand Lodge Era.  The newly created Fellow Craft Subprime degree was originally part of the Entered Apprentice Prime Degree.  The "Master's Part" was provided to bestow the governing rank of "Fellow of the Craft" upon a member so he could run the lodge; there was nothing required other then to go through the ritual. 

It was when the first degree was split in two that the second part then bestowed the governing rank of "Fellow of the Craft" upon those going through it.  This was an "innovation" to the existing work.

 

He Continues: The Master's degree does appear as an innovation.

 

My Response: I'm glad that you see this too.

 

He Continues: It's sort of gloss or something added to the picture for whatever purposes these men had but never fully explained and understood by future generations.

 

My Response: Yes!  Please refer back to my previous comments about "He is a Ruffian."  It doesn't have to be explained to those who have actually done the Work.

 

He Continues: Our system seems to have been complete with only the 2 degrees.

My Response: Agreed!

 

He Continues: In fact, the Fellow Craft degree meshes well the Mark Master degree's account without the necessity of the Master's degree.

 

My Response: Yep!  The breadcrumb trail is definitely thick with clues!  Unfortunately, very few see it and even fewer follow it.

 

He Continues: However the Master's degree doesn't naturally blend in except maybe with the introduction of the final working tool, the Trowel.  It's explained that only Master Masons are given a trowel.

 

My Response: Yes.  And that is only used in the USA style Ritual.  There are three Working tools used in some MM rituals.  Additionally, this is where I want to scream, "Wake Up!", but I won't and I'll let you just imagine that I did.

 

Apprentices and Fellows of the Craft used/use the Trowel.; they HAD/HAVE TO!  The Master's Degree is "Symbolic".  In practice, ALL levels used ALL the Working Tools.  How else were/are each of our Craftsmen going to Learn the Craft????  Learning requires Explaining, Showing, and Doing!

 

He Continues: I'm understanding where you're coming from historically.

 

My Response: Good!

 

He Continues: But I'm not sure if I can agree with you that after all this time, we should not still consider the Master's degree as the final & highest?

 

My Response: You could agree, but it would require you to 1) step back, 2) remember that these degrees are all "symbolic" and 3) use common sense. 

He Continues: Then you are not advocating changing anything?

My Response: The only thing that I'm advocating here and in the originating post on this subject are opportunities for you to re-evaluation your understandings of the history and basis of the first three degrees. Other than that, it's business as usual, as in, continue to do the Work that makes goods men better!

He Continues: Thanks!  Very doable!

My Response: Good!  Have at it!

 

F&S,

 

Brother John S. Nagy

 

FOR FURTHER LIGHT:

 

 

A Brother Asks... Are the Twelve Fellow Crafts Reformed Ruffians?

A Brother Asks: Were the remaining Twelve Fellow Crafts Reformed Ruffians[1]?

My Response: Before I respond directly to your question, let me take some liberty here and lay a foundation for it. 

Freemasonry does not make good men better. That is a fabricated slogan that serves the purpose of gaining the interest of a target market.  It has worked unbelievably well over the years and is well suited to that purpose.

If you inspect the results of Craft influence in an unbiased way, it should become obvious from the evidence that it is only by Seeking and Practicing Masonry, not Freemasonry, that a Good Man becomes a Better Man.

That being said, Mainstream Freemasonry is an organization of men who collectively claim that they seek to make Good Men Better.  They also lay claim to supporting this end without wavering.  They do this by directing members' attention toward focusing upon those things that each can do to improve themselves.  They do this in the hope that Members may eventually come to know and embrace Masonry; not just Freemasonry.

However, these claims must be backed by action on the part of each member for that Betterment to be realized.  The first step toward that end is Realizing and Understanding that there actually is a difference between the organization and what it espouses. The second step is Realizing and Understanding that Participation in organizational activities is not the same as doing the Work that it espouses; these are two entirely different activities and they serve different ends. 

Should you get upset or offended by this information? Only if you insist upon not earnestly examining what Betterment of yourself actually entails.

Back to your Question

From a very deep and personal perspective, I find the Three Fellow Crafts who went back to Work more heroic than any other characters within the Temple's Allegorical Tale. I see taking up the Work with unwavering intent to Complete it, as in "to complete their respective temples," to be one of the most heroic and noblest of journeys any Man can undertake.

To Recognize this need and Dedicate oneself to its fulfillment and completion to be a rare and noble quality.

But that's just me. I know from experience what it actually takes. A man must cultivate something very special and utterly unique within himself to take such Work on and then move it toward completion.

It Transforms the man, his life and his world.

The Work is not for wimps, wusses, or Ruffians. 

 The other Nine Ruffians?  The story doesn't say what happened to them.  That being said, it was clear that all twelve were threatened with the same punishment that the three who committed the crime eventually suffered, if the three were not brought to justice.  The Nine Ruffians who were never heard from again did not bring the three to justice and therefore we are left to understand that they left for parts unknown, never to return, much like many who depart who never apprehend the Work necessary to bring their Work to justice.

And there in lies the answer to your question. 

The Twelve Fellow Craft were part of the original conspiracy to ruff[2] on the required Work.  They had every intention to ruff.  They were going to follow through with ruffing and ultimately changed their minds.  Of the twelve, we are left with the distinct impression that only three returned and planned to opt out of ruffing and followed suit on pursuing the Work.  By all Blue Lodge accounts, we are left with a distinct understanding that only three had plans to reform their ways and get back to business - doing the Work.

So, "Yes", only these three were reformed Ruffians, or, at least, Working toward that end.

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy
-------------------------------

[1] Ruffian: One who ruffs; one who does not follow suit; one who skips over what is usually necessary to accomplish a desired end.
[2] Ruff: an archaic term meaning to "trump"; to not follow suit; to skip over what is usually necessary to accomplish a desired end.

A Brother Asks: How can I Spot Craft Ruffians?

A Brother Asks: Coach!  I'm a bit frustrated and hurting.  I'm not liking what I'm seeing in and getting from some of my brothers. Could you give me a quick guide?  How can I spot Craft Ruffians?

My Response: Let me respond by providing you a quick and easy to use list of behaviors you can use to assess your Brothers should you want to identify them as Ruffians.

The Short List* for "You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he…"

1. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he inaccurately and purposely misrepresents a Brother.
2. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he bears false witness and intentionally misquotes a Brother’s words so that they reflect poorly upon that Brother.
3. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he maligns, misrepresents or vilifies a Brother’s intentions.
4. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he indignantly condemns a Brother’s Work.
5. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he sabotages a Brother’s pursuits and endeavors and the support that others might provide him.
6. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he attacks, belittles and berates the institutions and faiths with which a Brother is associated.
7. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he dismisses a Brother’s education as being suspect and not what he would choose for himself.
8. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he misleads others about a Brother based upon his own conjectures.
9. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he silently and continuously endorses the assassination of a Brother’s character.
10. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he purposefully deals with a Brother indirectly, deceitfully so and with malicious intent masked in righteousness.
11. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he encourages and endorses social pressures intended to sway Brothers toward his will and pleasure by manipulating those who surround and influence his target.
12. You might be dealing with a Ruffian when he assures Brothers, by what he says and through what he does, that he mean others harm and he does so beyond any shadow of a heartfelt doubt.

F&S,

Brother John S Nagy
 
(*Based upon the Extensive Lists, Instructions and Works found within:
Building Ruffish - Uncommon Field Guide for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 6)



 

Cracking Ritual

“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.” 
– Obadiah 1:3-4 (AKJV)

How subtle Ritual truly is.  Its soft embrace cleverly disguises many nuances unseen by those who seek them not.  Returning its embrace often brings forth Light hidden by the Shadows of Ignorance.  Seek it and you shall Find wonders.

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

Sometimes it’s the little things that go unnoticed, until they begin to irritate you.  This occurred recently when I was tickled in a most annoying way by the phrase, “cleft of the rocks”.  I didn’t know why it kept fluttering under my nose, but it was clear that it was not going away on its own. 

After numerous unwanted assaults, I finally took a mindful notice of it and grabbed hold.  As I did, I was reminded that I was a Mason and I Work on Rocks.  This hard reminder compelled me to look up the word, “cleft[1]” to obtain a more solid understanding. I’m glad I did!

Upon its examination, I connected further to subtle Allusions within Ritual. There was the obvious connection to the Ruffians that were found hiding in the cleft of the rocks.  There was another one to the hollows where our heels find solace as we progress from candidate to Master but no more once there!  There was also the not so common connection to the now obsolete meaning of the word, “cowan”, that meant at one time “hollow, gap, crevice, indent or hole”.

The matter continued to roll around within my mind as I found more associated Allusions and connections.    When I laid each of them out upon my working slab, I had a profound insight.  These Allusions point to Unfinished Work! 

Masons are told that specific Work must be Completed to Achieve Mastery.  That Work is clearly pointed toward by Ritual (but is not the Ritual itself.)  Even the Third Degree Allegory directs us back to Completing that Work.  This Allegory also warns us about making any effort to dismiss any of Work.  Ritual also tells us through Allusion that, when our Work remains unfinished, our Word’s Value is ripped from us, our Desires become fodder for beasts and fowl and our very Being is Torn in Two differing Directions; Allusions and Warnings that few Brothers glean initially.   

But do all Brothers heed such warnings?  Many don’t.  Ritual tells us how to recognize them though. Their very looks betray them!  How?  Let’s review this!

It tells us that we can Recognize Cowanistic Brothers[2] by their unfinished Work. 

1) The cowans of their feet are only used as resting places for heals that have yet to walk the path. 

2) You’ll always see gaps in their Work. 

It is not their concern though.  They remain complacent to Progress no further and to receive less for unfinished Work.

It also tells us that Ruffian Brothers are quite a different matter. 

1) They desperately want what they have yet to earn. 

2) They feel entitled to more and attempt to dishonestly receive it but are unwilling to legitimately Work for it. 

3) Their Ashlars are wholly divided.  Their entire being is “Severed in Twain!”  Recognize them by their arrogance but more so by the cleft in their Ashlars, where you shall find their true selves hiding.

It’s truly amazing the insights you can glean when you take a crack at probing what irritates you.  Sometimes you get to view new holes.  Every time though, you get whole new views!

Points to Perpend:

1. What have you yet to Pursue?
2. How does this Affect you and others?
3. What can you Do about this?

---

[1] Cleft (noun) – a fissure, rift, break or split; a deep division between two parts of the body.

[2] Brothers who remain complacent with their unsquared Ashlars and untempered Cement.

Judge Permits Freemasonic Defense

Cracked Rocks AK -- In what is now considered a bold but viable legal maneuver, a thirty-three year old self-proclaimed Craft Initiate and his two brothers have made history by successfully offering a “Freemasonic Defense” plea in their court case.  Mr. J. Roughman made his earnest plea to the judge on all of their behalf during their pretrial arraignment. 

Judge Rufus A. Round, after due consideration of the gravity of the request, responded with a one word ruling , “Yep”, on whether to hear their defense plea at trial.  It was a startlingly profound but short response and all that the judge had to say to them before trial, judgment and sentencing.

As luck would have it, the three local Freemasonic spokesmen were all present that day and all in agreement with the judge's ruling.  Spokesman Brother Lett M. Havvit had this to say, “The general consensus among our local Brothers was to support these three individuals in getting what they demand.  If they want to be treated as Freemasons, then by all means they should indeed be given every opportunity and with full regard to what they desire.”

It is important to note here that both the pretrial and subsequent trial were amazingly swift.  When asked by Judge Round if they did do what they were accused of doing, each defendant responded with an unequivocal, “Yes, I did it”.  When also asked why, each claimed in their defense, “It was because I was going through a Freemasonic Initiation.” 

The judge, himself a long time Freemason and well recognized Past Master of the Craft, took all this into consideration during the trial.  In a last minute effort to determine culpability, he asked the three of them, “Do each of you admit that you went through this initiation of your own free will and accord?”

They responded in unison, “Yes!  Of course!”

The defendants appeared quite shocked by what the trial judge had to say next in response.  “Your defense plea is accepted and so are your confessions!"  He then leaned over, grabbed his gavel and said, "Guilty as charged!”, and slammed down the gavel on his bench.  Judge Round was seen to immediately hand over to each of the defendants a list of three penalties and was heard to ask them to choose which one each wanted administered as punishment.

Round said afterward that it was the most convincing legal defense he had ever heard in his 50 years on the bench. “I couldn’t believe how rock solid their argument was”, he said.  “There was legally no way to dismiss their defense either", the judge remarked. "I wish I could have but I was forced by their carefully worded plea to proceed with the trial." And it was just after he said that when Ruffus sighed, hung his head for a moment, and added in a deeply pitying tone, "Those miserable impetuous wretches had no idea what consequences they were demanding through their plea.”

All present agreed it was a brilliant display of Freemasonic justice.  The Roughmans are expected to have their sentencing acted out at low twelve tonight. 

Attendees to tonight's event are expected to show their dues cards at the door and to be tried before entering.

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy