10-Year Reunion

This last weekend I attended my 10-Year Class Reunion. My roommate and I both are graduates of Emmett High School so we decided to go and see everyone. Friday night was a dinner where we were all able to catch up and afterward socialize at one of the local bars.

Saturday was a breakfast where people could bring their family. After the breakfast several of us went to Emmett City Park for the annual Cherry Festival (the oldest festival in Idaho) and parade. I hung out with my family, particularly with my nephew and newborn niece.

It was a good weekend, but now I need to catch up on some reading for my college course.

Crosses

As I discussed in my earlier article, The Crown and the Cross, the cross today is recognized as one of the strongest symbols of Christianity, but this symbol is ancient and can be found across different cultures and originates long before the rise of the Christian faith.

The word "cross" comes from the Latin word "crux" which was a Roman torture device. The word "cross" was introduced to the English around the 10th century as the term for the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as described in the Gospels of the New Testament, gradually replacing the earlier word "rood". The Cross is simplistic in shape, usually two intersecting beams, a vertical one intersecting a horizontal one, but may vary depending upon religious denomination. There are basically four forms from which most other crosses stem from. They are the Latin Cross, the Greek Cross, Saint Andrew's Cross, and the Tau Cross.

R-L: Latin, Greek, St. Andrew's, and Tau crosses

The Latin Cross

The Latin Cross, or Crux Immissa, is a type of the cross in which the vertical beam, or stipe, sticks above the crossbeam. It is also referred to as "Crux Capitata" which translates into "cross with a head." In Christianity this cross reminds us of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as it is said by this instrument he died upon. This cross was not widely used during the first two centuries of Christianity as many followers were reluctant to use it as an icon as they saw it as the gruesome method by which the Savior was slain as well some early church leaders condemned its use due to its pagan origins. It wouldn't be until around the 4th century that the cross would become more and more used over the previously used Lamb and Fish (Ichthys). For centuries the Latin Cross was also used as the basic floor plan of churches and cathedrals. The Latin Cross is also seen outside of Christian sects and has been found in Etruscan, Tiryns, Mycenaean, and Cretan cultures.

The Greek Cross

The Greek Cross, (also known as Crux Immissa Quadrata or Cross of the Earth) is similar to the Latin Cross except that all four arms are of equal length. It is said this is the most ancient of the cross symbols used and with many interpretations that was used around the world.

Saint Andrew's Cross

St. Andrew's Cross, or Crux Decussata, is in the form of a diagonal cross (like the letter X). This cross also resembles the Greek letter Chi which is represented as 'X' which is one of the symbols Constantine saw in a dream which led him to victory against Maxentius at the battle of Saxa Rubra, and which led Constantine to his legendary conversion to Christianity. This cross is named after Saint Andrew as it is said that he was martyred on such a cross. This design is also referred to as a saltire since the intersecting lines do not meet at a 90° angles.

The Tau Cross

The Tau Cross, or  Crux Commissa, is a cross named after the Greek letter it resembles, but is believed to have originated with the Egyptians and adopted among other cultures. Christian use of this cross came about with St. Anthony of Egypt who bore a cross in the form of a tau on his cloak. The Tau Cross is sometimes referred to as the Old Testament Cross, the Anticipatory Cross, the Egyptian Cross, the Advent Cross, and Saint Francis's Cross.

The tau in ancient times was regarded as a symbol of life.  It was also used as a symbol for those acquitted of a crime or honorably returning home from battle.  We also see use of it in the Bible wherein it is written in the Book of Ezekiel:

And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Ezekiel 9:4

The mark was said to have been the Tau.

From these four basic crosses comes a myriad of crosses that have been used by just as numerous of groups. The following crosses will be classified and grouped accordingly from which of the four previous crosses they stem from.

Latin Variations

Starting out with the simplest variation of the Latin Cross, the Cross of St. Peter is an inverted Latin Cross. The origin of this cross comes from the tradition that Simon Peter was crucified upside down and since Catholicism believes that the Pope is the successor of Peter they are often represented by the Cross of St. Peter.

The Patriarchal Cross is the Latin Cross, but with two cross bars, a smaller one above a larger one, both placed near the top. This cross is also known as the Archiepiscopal Cross, Archbishop’s Cross, or Metropolitan Cross. This cross may appear with a short slanted crosspiece near the bottom, but usually this appears in Byzantine Greek and Eastern European iconography. The top beam is said to bear the inscription of "INRI" which is an acronym of "Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum" or "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews." There are other interpretations of this cross such as that the smaller beam represents ecclesiastical power and the larger beam secular power. Others believe that one beam represents the death of Christ and the other his resurrection.

This cross started appearing around the 10th century in the Byzantine Empire and is thought to have originated out of Hungary as the two-barred cross is one of the main elements of the coats of arms of the Kingdom of Hungary since the 9th Century.

This cross is important in Masonic Templary as it is used as the insignia of all the officers of the Grand Encampment below the Most Eminent Grand Master.

Similar to the previous cross, the Lorraine Cross is a two-barred cross laid upon a vertical bar and the two horizontal bars are usually of equal length, but not always. Sometimes the Lorraine Cross can sometimes be the same as the Patriarchal Cross, but the Cross of Lorraine was originally a heraldic cross. It originated with René d’Anjou, Duke of Lorraine, and would be used by Godfrey de Boullion during the capture of Jerusalem. This cross would be carried around during the Crusades and, for a time, was associated with the Knights Templar.

Next is the Budded Cross (also known as the Apostle's Cross, Disciples Cross, Bottony Cross, or Cathedral Cross) which is the Latin Cross fixed with three circles or discs, also known as trefoils, at the end of each arm. To the Christian the trefoils represent the Holy Trinity, but the use of the discs or circles may have originated from the Celtic Druids where they represent the 3-dominions: earth, sky, and sea. Some have interpreted the cross as emblematic of someone new to the faith as the buds represent a flower yet to fully bloom. It is also referred to as the Apostles or Disciples Cross due to the 12-buds represented on the cross (3-buds on each arm).

The Celtic Cross and/or High Cross are both crosses found in the now United Kingdom which were either Latin or Greek cross over a circle, made of stone or wood, and engraved with intricate designs of knot-work, interlace, and vine-scroll. It is said that this was done to show the supremacy of Christ over the sun which pagans had previously worshiped, but the circle has long been a symbol of eternity. It is thought that these crosses were introduced to the natives and pagans by such men as St. Patrick or St. Declan. There are slight differences between the Celtic and High Cross, usually in size, but are very similar.

The Orthodox Cross is a variation of the Christian or Latin Cross and is often referred to as the Byzantine Cross or Russian Cross. It has three horizontal beams with the bottom beam slanted downward. This one is also in close relation to the Patriarchal Cross with the tradition of the upper beam corresponding with the inscription "INRI". Some believe that the slanted bar at the bottom represents the possibility that Jesus was not nailed foot over foot, but stood upon a footstep. Others speculate that it was due the efforts of St. Andrew that Christianity was introduced into the Russian region and that the slant is to commemorate him.

The Cross of Salem or also known as the Papal Cross or Pontifical Cross, is a Latin cross, but with 3-horizontal beams where it is seen that the top and bottom beams are shorter than the middle or main beam; sometimes there is a variation in that the horizontal beams increase in size going from the top down. It is referred to as the Pontifical Cross as it often carried before the Pope.


There are several symbolic interpretations of this cross. This cross is to represent the Pope's triple role as leader of worship, teacher, and community leader as well as representing the 3-main titles of the Pope: Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of the West, and Successor of St. Peter, Chief of the Apostles. It is also said to represent his temporal, spiritual, and material powers and responsibilities. In masonry these can also correspond to the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity as well as the Holy Trinity in Christianity.

This cross reserved for the insignia of the Most Eminent Grand Master and Past Grand Masters. In the Scottish Rite, this cross slightly slanted is the insignia of the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite.

As a primary symbol of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the St. Nino's Cross (also known as the Grapevine Cross or Georgian Cross) has been used since Christianity became the official religion of the Kingdom of Iberia in the 4th century. This cross is recognized by the unique horizontal beam that "droops" or rather each of the horizontal arms angles downward from the intersection with the stipe.

The legend is that St. Nino was a Cappadocian woman who preached Christianity in modern Georgia early in the 4th century. Early on she carried a normal Latin Cross, but she said she received in a message from the Virgin Mary the Grapevine Cross. However its appearance wasn't until modern times, but this is said to be due to the oppression by the Ottoman and Persian empires.

The Mariner's Cross or Anchored Cross  is a stylized Latin cross in the shape of an anchor. The Mariner's Cross is also known as St. Clement's Cross in reference to the way he was martyred. This cross is used to signify 'fresh start' or 'hope'. As Christians we should ever remember that Jesus is our Anchor in any storm.

Greek Variations

The first of the variations of the equal armed crosses is the Maltese Cross. It also known as the Amalfi Cross which is an 8-pointed cross with four "V" shaped arms joined together at their tips. It takes its name from the island of Malta and the Knights Hospitallier who would become to be known as the Knights of Malta. This cross is first seen in the 16th century on coins commissioned by the Grand master of the Order.

Symbolically the 8-points represent the 8 lands and languages of the original order as well as the 8-points of courage: Loyalty, Piety, Generosity, Bravery, Glory and honor, Contempt of death, Helpfulness towards the poor and the sick, and Respect for the church. It also has been interpreted to represent the Eight Beatitudes.

The next cross is somewhat controversial by its use in recent times and, yes, I am referring to the Swastika. It is an equilateral cross with four arms bent at 90 degrees and is an ancient symbol. It has long been associated with Eastern religions, but in recent times was used by the Nazis and thus has earned a poor reputation as being associated with Nazism, fascism, and supremacy movements.

The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika and translates as "to be good" or "being with higher self."

Similar the Maltese Cross, the Templar Cross, or Cross Formée Patée, is composed of 4 equilateral triangles whose apexes meet at a common center.

Symbolically such crosses like the Templar Cross, you can also see a liberal representation that the four equilateral triangles symbolize the 12 Signs of the Zodiac.

In Templary this cross is used to designate Grand Commandery officers and Past Grand Commanders.

As I live in Boise and this city is considered a sister region to the Basque community Europe, let's look at the Basque Cross also known as the Lauburu. This cross is composed of four comma-shaped heads similar to the Japanese tomoe (an archaic swirl that looks like a comma). Some say it signifies the "four heads or regions" of the Basque Country, but this cross does not appear in any of the seven coats-of-arms of Basque Country.

It is seen as a symbol of prosperity and many use it as a talisman or symbol displayed over the doorway.

Etymologically Lauburu means "four heads", "four ends" or "four summits" in the Basque language.

Another ancient cross is the Sun Cross or Wheel Cross which is a Greek Cross within a  circle and was found predominately in prehistoric cultures all over the world.

St. Andrew Variations

One of the most famous variations of cross, the Chi-Rho is one of the earliest forms of Christogram (an abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ). It is made famous by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great who converted and this is one of the landmarks in Christian history. It is said that he received a message in a dream that if his men bore that divine symbol on their shields that he would have victory against Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge.  After the time of Constantine, the Chi-Rho became a part of the imperial insignia.

The Chi-Rho was also said to have been used by pagan Greeks to mark valuable passages in literature. Similar devices were also seen on currency in the time of Ptolemy III.

In Christianity, if someone uses a wreath around the Chi-Rho it is to symbolize the victory of the Christ's Resurrection over death, and is an early visual representation of the connection between the Crucifixion of Jesus and his triumphal resurrection.

Tau Variations

Known for its use in ancient Egyptian cultures, the Ankh is a tau cross with a teardrop atop the "T" with point down. It is also known as the Key of Life, Egyptian Cross, Key of the Nile, and Crux Ansata (or rather "Cross with a Handle"). The ankh appears frequently in Egyptian tomb paintings and other art, but the origins of this device are unknown.

In ancient Egypt it was used a hieroglyph that meant "eternal life" and the gods were often portrayed carrying it by its loop. It is also thought to be a combination of symbols representing both the male and female, and would also therefore represent conception, strength, and health.

The Coptic Cross or Gnostic Cross has its origins with the ankh, but varies slightly with a circle instead of a teardrop atop the "T". The circle represents the eternal and everlasting love of Almighty God. The full cross symbolizes Christ's death by crucifixion and Resurrection.

The Furka Cross is a forked cross that looks like the letter "Y".  It is also sometimes referred to as the Thieves or Robbers Cross, Yoke Cross, Vestment Cross, or Pall (meaning robe, cloak, or draped cloth) Cross.

The Furka Cross is referred to as the thieves or robbers cross as it is believed that in Roman controlled Judea criminals were crucified on a forked cross, but such crosses would be costly to build so it is unlikely it was actually used. The three arms of this cross remind us of the Holy Trinity and the attributes of God: omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.

This forked cross also resembles the Greek letter Upsilon which capitalized looks just like the English letter "Y". The Greek Upsilon is often called Pythagoras' letter as it is said he used it as a symbol to demonstrate human life where the two horns of the letter represent the two paths of vice and virtue. We all travel down a road in life, but it is not always the easy road and we come to a split into the road where we must choose where we will take our life.  Will it be down the road of virtue or the one to ruin?

These are just some of the variations of the four basic types of crosses, but there are many more like the cross used in the Order of Christ, Bolnisi Cross of Georgia, Florian Cross, Pisan Cross, Occitan Cross, Calvary Cross, Canterbury Cross, and the Cross of St. Thomas. The cross has been used, adapted, and varied since the beginning of time and like all symbols have been used or and were interpreted for just as many reasons as there are types and variations of crosses.

References

1. Anchored Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchored_Cross. 

2. Ankh. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankh. 

3. Budded Cross. n.d. http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/budded.html. 

4. Celtic Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Cross. 

5. Chi Rho. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-Rho. 

6. Christian Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_cross. 

7. Christian Crosses. n.d. http://www.godweb.org/morecross.htm. 

8. Coptic Ankh. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_ankh. 

9. Christian Symbols. n.d. http://www.gocek.org/christiansymbols/?search=cross.

10. Coptic Cross. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_Cross. 

11. Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross. 

12. Cross. n.d. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cross&allowed_in_frame=0.

13. Cross. n.d. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/cross. 

14. Cross Designs and Styles. n.d. http://www.applefielddirect.com/adj_library.cgi?dlt=on&tt=2805. 

15. Cross of Lorraine. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Lorraine. 

16. Cross of Tau. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Tau. 

17. Crosses. n.d. http://www.drawnbyhislight.com/refs/crosses.html. 

18. Forked Cross. n.d. http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/forked.html. 

19. Gold, Campbell M. The Cross. 2011. http://campbellmgold.com/archive_esoteric/cross.pdf. 

20.  Grapevine Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapevine_cross. 


21.  High Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_cross. 

22. Lauburu. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_cross. 

23. Luthern Symbols and Crosses. n.d. http://www.lutheransonline.com/servlet/lo_ProcServ/dbpage=page&mode=display&gid=20052995655655607101111555&pg=20053040942236960101111555. 

24. Maltese Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_cross. 

25. Marshall, George L. "The Crosses of Templary." Knights Templar magazine, January 2010: 24-28.

26. Newell, Barry E. Symbols of Royal Arch Masonry, Pt. 1. April 2012. http://www.travelingtemplar.com/2012/04/symbols-of-royal-arch-masonry-part-1.html.

27. The Crown and the Cross. September 2012. http://www.travelingtemplar.com/2012/09/the-crown-and-cross.html.

28. Orthodox Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_cross. 

29. Papal Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_Cross. 

30. Greek Cross (Cross Imissa, Cross of Earth). n.d. http://symboldictionary.net/?p=1414.
31. Patriarchal Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchal_cross. 

32. Saltire. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crux_decussata. 

33. Sun Cross. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_cross. 


34. Swastika. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika.

35. Upsilon. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upsilon.

36. The Cross Symbol. n.d. http://www.designboom.com/history/cross_2.html.

D-Day Anniversary

On this day 69-years ago the United States military along with the Allied Forces invaded Nazi-controlled Europe to counter the tyrannical and aggressive Nazi regime.

This video is the speech that the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, gave prior to this monumental invasion:

Transcript:

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. 

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely. 

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."

- General, President, and Brother Dwight D. Eisenhower

Remembering this day reminds me of the poem said at the end of the finale of the HBO series Band of Brothers:

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother"

 - Henry V

Let us remember not just on this day, but every day the efforts the few put forth to counter the Nazi occupation and fight a truly righteous fight against tyranny.

A New Addition to My Family

Yesterday my little sister gave birth to her second child, a beautiful baby girl named Alyssa. She did have some issues with her blood platelets, but after a transfusion and an overnight observation she appears to be doing very well. The doctor does want to run some tests on her bone marrow to make sure she has started to produce her own. We're keeping our fingers crossed for some good news.

My nephew Logan is excited and ready to be a big brother. He ran around the hospital wearing a "I'm the big brother" shirt...very adorable.

A Traditional Observance Lodge

W:. Bro. Cliff Porter has published another book. This one "A Traditional Observance Lodge: One Mason's Journey to Fulfillment" is about his experiences, but it also "breaks down the various ceremonies with how to advice and actual ceremonies, a discussion of the philosophies and traditions, etc." The book is given the following description:

The author's home lodge is different. They suffer from higher than 100% attendance, men wait periods of longer than a year to get initiated, they have never lost a single Entered Apprentice, they have nobody on the roles who is NPD or has been dropped for NPD. Men arrive on lodge days at 8:00 a.m. and are often reluctantly leaving for home near midnight or 2:00 a.m. Their dues are high by American standards, the background check is rigorous, and the initiations are solemn and serious. Every lodge meeting is treated as an event and celebrated as such. Dinner is treated as a feast with all its positive connotations. Freemasonry is celebrated in every aspect of the lodge. From the artwork, the furnishings, the set up and the atmosphere; all aspects of the lodge meeting are intentional and meant to create an experience. The Lodge is a Traditional Observance Lodge or T.O. Lodge as it is called by some. Like all labels, the Traditional Observance label has caused fear and fright, anger and frustration, confusion, and edicts. It has also helped to define the practices that make the author's lodge one of the most successful lodges in the United States by any standard one might choose to measure it. This book does not claim to provide a Masonic magic pill for the ailing lodges of the world. Nor does it claim in any fashion or form that the way this author's lodge operates is the only way or the best way to operate. What this book does is explain the the Traditional Observance model and encourages ideas in the area of increasing the lodge experience and allowing quality to become the watchword over every aspect of Freemasonry. The writings contains a mixture of personal experiences, practical advice, and real life examples for creating a Traditional Observance lodge or increasing your lodges fulfillment.

You can find this book at Amazon and will eventually be on Kindle. I suggest this book as it appears to be a great resource for the Lodge, but can easily be adopted for all of  the various orders of Freemasonry.

Order of the Sword of Bunker HIll

Last Saturday I was initiated into the Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill. I have known about this group for a while, but in name only. According to its website, the Order is described as:

Historical and patriotic side Order of Masonry founded to perpetuate the principles of American Liberty, and to indelibly impress upon the minds of each generation the sacrifices made by our Masonic forefathers in forming and establishing the United States of America.

The Order was founded by Frank Goodspeed Taylor on October 15, 1912 in Oregon, IL, and since its establishment has initiated more than 100,000 Master Masons. This is not to be considered a Masonic degree, but an order conferred upon a Master Mason in good standing. 

The purpose of the group is:

To promote the interest of Masonry by encouraging a more regular attendance at its meeting. To form a social and fraternal organization to perpetuate the principles of American liberty. To instill into the minds of each generation the sacrifices of our Masonic forefathers in forming our great republic. To forever inspire patriotism and loyalty by administering to every candidate for our Order the oath of allegiance to state and nation. To provide a time and place for good clean fun. To further cement our friendship and brotherly love by providing social entertainment. To contribute a portion of our initiation free to a worthy Masonic charity.

The national body is called the "Grand Order Sword of Bunker Hill" with the presiding officer known as Grand Commander in Chief. Constituent bodies are referred to as "Orders" and have nine officers, with a Commander in Chief presiding. The Grand Order also has a Noble Council, District Commanders, Liaison Officers, and Ambassadors-at-Large.

It is important to note that no officer, at any level, is given a salary and all monies raised are given to Masonic youth groups or charities. The only fee for a member is the initiation fee of $25.
I am hoping to get my Order more active in Idaho. I must recognize and give kudos to Dave Grindle, Right Puissant General Grand Recorder of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International, for all he has done to re-activate this dormant constituent Order.

Memorial Day 2013

Today is marks the federal holiday where remember those who have died in service to our nation. Originally it was was known as Decoration Day, but as to the birthplace of Memorial Day we cannot say for sure as there are many cities/towns that lay claim to this holiday. It's likely that there were many separate beginnings that came about after the Civil War.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868, by General John A. Logan who was National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic which was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, Marines and Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. This day was first observed on May 30th, 1868, when flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

The State of New York was the first state to officially recognize this holiday which they did in the year 1873 and caught on by the Northern states by 1890. The Southern states refused to acknowledge the day until after WWI when the day changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring American who died fighting in any war. Today it is celebrated by most every State on the last Monday in May as authorized by the US Congress in the National Holiday Act of 1971.

Although not necessarily tied with Memorial Day, this poem is a popularly known and used in regards to those who have died in war:

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow 

Between the crosses, row on row 

That mark our place; and in the sky 

The larks, still bravely singing, fly 

Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

We are the Dead. Short days ago 

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 

Loved and were loved, and now we lie 

In Flanders fields

Take up our quarrel with the foe: 

To you from failing hands we throw 

The torch; be yours to hold it high. 

If ye break faith with us who die 

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow 

In Flanders fields

This poem was written by LTC John McCrae in 1915 who wrote this after presiding over the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. It makes reference to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the world's most recognized memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in conflict. In 1915, inspired by McCrae's poem, Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red 

That grows on fields where valor led, 

It seems to signal to the skies 

That blood of heroes never dies.

She thought of the idea of wearing the red poppy on Memorial Day to honor the Departed. She started selling red poppies and all funds benefited servicemen in need. This tradition would spread to Europe by the efforts of Madam Guerin who while visiting the US learned of this custom of Ms. Michael. Eventually the VFW would get involved and nationally started selling poppies. There are various traditions around the nation for Memorial Day, most prominent is the placing of flags to the graves of the deceased.

Traditional observance of this holiday has diminished and many see it as the start of summer vacation where they go camping or have BBQs with all of their friends and families rather than remember the meaning and traditions of this day. Some believe that this occurred as a result of the 1971 Act which gave federal employees a 3-day weekend and made it easier for people to be distracted from the true meaning, thus undermining the intent of the holiday.

In recent times there have been pushes to reform and return to celebrate this day and the honored dead. In 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance was passed which asks that at 3PM (local time) for all Americans to "voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps'." I for one look forward to a return to a day of more solemnity and honor.

In honor of those who have given their all for the service of our nation, I will leave you with this poem written by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien of the United States Marine Corps:

It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press. 

It's the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. 

It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. 

It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. 

It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives the protestor the right to burn the flag.

Secrecy: What's the Big Deal?

One of the biggest criticisms I see held against Freemasonry is that we are a "secret society" and that devious and sinister plots are conspired in our meetings. The Fraternities response is that we are rather a private organization with secrets. I would agree with the Masonic response as true secret societies are ones that don't disclose membership, allow members to wear insignia, hold public ceremonies, or, particularly in America, display their meeting places so prominently. Their primary argument is that secrecy is naturally wrong and that nothing good can come from meeting in secret. Aside from the illogical assumption, this anti-secrecy belief overlooks the relationship of secrecy and human nature as well as the need for secrecy in a free society.

Before I continue any further I would like to focus first on the word "secret". The word "secret" comes from the Latin secretus which means to set apart or hide. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a secret society is "any of various oath-bound societies often devoted to brotherhood, moral discipline, and mutual assistance." This is a fair description of Freemasonry, although I still disagree that we [Freemasonry] are a secret society -- maybe it's my bias. I do agree that Freemasonry is a private organization that possesses secrets. It is important to note that privacy is synonymous with secrecy. Privacy is the "quality or state of being apart from company and observation." Privacy is a natural right as everyone has a right to hide or conceal that which they possess or own whether it is a person, place, thing, belief or ideal.

As anti-Masons are as diverse as the fraternity is, they denounce secrecy and secrets for a variety of reasons; most simply believe that keeping secrets and secrecy is wrong as it is indicative of plotting against benevolent governments and religious organizations. Even when faced with the proposition that secrecy is the same thing as privacy, many still denounce it often for irrational reasons. Regardless, whether one calls it secrecy or privacy, everyone has a need for it and that is the main focus of this article. Understandably, our secrecy is what feeds their argument as without information they are left with only their imagination and rumors to guide them as to what occurs within the walls of Masonic bodies. Even when faced with the facts they will still stand by the fact that they don't like our private nature.

Now it is laughable to think Freemasonry is truly secret as one only needs to go to a library or get onto the internet to find a vast amount of information regarding our Fraternity, although more often than not some websites information is and was exaggerated and sensationalized. Even many of our own writings are published publicly and open for non-Masons to read. If so much is published why do we keep them private? There are many reasons why we Freemasons continue our private nature and the keeping of secrets. Freemasonry was traditionally extremely private during eras of totalitarianism out of obvious necessity as free-thinking and liberal ideas were seen as dangerous, condemned by tyrants, and forced from public view. 

Overlooking the traditional need for secrecy anti-Masons often state, "If you have nothing hide, why keep it secret?" This is indicative of a nosy personality and one counter to liberty. Many seek to know what a Mason knows without the effort, without going through the process and earning the information which devalues the information, and would mean nothing to the unworthy and uninitiated. 

In his article "Why Secrecy", Bro. Roger Firestone 33° stated:

Another major reason why secrecy is advocated for the knowledge imparted by Freemasonry is to impart the lesson that our teachings are valuable. We leave many inexpensive items lying carelessly about our homes and offices, whereas truly valuable items are kept locked in safe deposit boxes or other repositories, or are carried with us at all times. In Poe's story, "The Purloined Letter," many hiding places are searched for the letter; having been left in plain view, it is overlooked as worthless. Since knowledge, per se, cannot be locked up physically, keeping it secret is the method used to restrict its circulation and ownership. If the teachings of Freemasonry were made available to anyone as a matter of routine, it would indicate to both members and outsiders that we attach only a modest value to them. Instead, we have spent centuries of effort keeping the truths of Masonry secret and passing them down the generations by memory. This should convince us that what we have labored so hard to possess is valuable indeed.

Bro. Firestone goes on to talk about the psychology of secrecy and secret societies. With further research I find several journal articles on this very subject covering the rise of "secret societies", secrecy and relationships, and how secrecy builds trust.

As history shows, when the world is out of balance the solution will arise in the needed form. In his article called The Sociology of Secrecy and of Secret Societies, Georg Simmel states:

As a general proposition, the secret society emerges everywhere as correlate of despotism and of police control. It acts as protection alike of defense and of offense against the violent pressure of central powers. This is true, not alone in political relations, but in the same way within the church, the school, and the family.

Within any private and voluntary organization, secrecy or privacy is necessary and compatible with trust. Because of the shared experience of members and because they share protected information an organization builds allegiances and meaningful relationships. According to Gary Fine and Lori Holyfield, "The link between trust and secrecy supports group cohesion while leaving room for personal investments." Private organizations rely upon trust to keep private or secret that which has been entrusted to his care. The relationship between privacy and secrecy extends to personal relationships as well as fraternal ones. Simmel states, "Every relationship between two individuals or two groups will be characterized by the ratio of secrecy that is involved in it." W:.Bro. Cliff Porter in his 2007 article Secrecy and Faith discusses how secrecy breeds trust and courage. Cliff makes the following declaration:

There are many reasons we may love our spouses, but believing we can share anything with them is an important aspect to a healthy relationship. The idea that your closest companion will not share your private moments with anyone else is what allows you to trust them. The idea that we can trust them gives of the courage to share with them. This is the basis of the secrecy of Masonry.

He continues with discussing that in today's modern world Freemasonry is one avenue that still prizes the need for and protection of secrecy and secrets. He also makes the point that in secrecy men may learn as they forget that "listening is often an unintended consequence of maintaining secrecy and, low and behold, we even learn something here and there." It is also pointed out those who attack secrecy do so for devious and sinister purposes themselves. In the conversations I have with those opposing secrecy I often find beliefs that are contradictory to freedom and human nature. Often those who oppose secrecy are nosy and this often leads to such an obsessive, close-minded personality. In the Paradox of Secrecy, Beryl Bellman states:

The obsessive fear of secrets leads to the denial of the right of secrecy and a rise in the demand for publicity. Concomitantly, distrust of privacy is accompanied by obsession with secrecy. Likewise, an open attitude toward privacy leads to a lessening of concern with secrecy.

While some denounce secrecy on moral grounds, Simmel states that secrecy is a universal sociological form and has nothing to do with moral valuations. Those who believe that secrecy is naturally wrong and use the "nothing-to-hide" argument do so based on assumptions not fact. They presume that secrets are kept only to hide something wrong, but often privacy and secrecy enhance freedom and liberty since living in a police state, in a state of forced "transparency", inhibits the exercise of natural rights like freedom of speech, association/assembly, and all of those essential to a free society.

Others argue that secrecy is against their faith and religious doctrine, and in the case of those who are Christian, they often overlook Holy Scripture that states there is nothing wrong with secrecy or privacy. Many also seem to forget that since secrecy is universal that everyone keeps secrets and practices secrecy at some level. Those who would deny their own personal secrecy couldn't withstand much questioning concerning intimate aspects of their lives without, as David Flaherty says, "capitulating to the intrusiveness of certain subject matters." They also forget that a key element of a free government, like a Republican or Democratic one, is secrecy.

In my opinion, it is not about Freemasonry having anything to hide, but rather it has everything to do with the sense of entitlement some feel to know the business of others...and frankly, they don't have that right. Entitlement is the belief that one deserves something without putting labor or effort into properly receiving it which is the antithesis to the natural rights that protect secrecy and privacy. As free men we are endowed with the right to keep what is our personal, confidential, private, and secret; and as free men we do need to justify the exercise of our Natural Rights.

To the rational mind, they will see that secrecy is the guardian of freedom and liberty, something learned at an early age, and is universally used by all human beings. Secrecy is not just some simple notion about concealing information from others, but is an exercise in guarding our thoughts, words, and actions. Secrecy breeds trust and courage, and reminds us of the lessons of the Four Cardinal Virtues: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice.

References

1. Beidelman, T. O. Secrecy and society: the paradox of knowing and the knowing of paradox. 1993. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/passages/4761530.0005.008?rgn=main;view=fulltext. 

2. Bellman, Beryl L. "The Paradox of Secrecy." Human Studies (Springer) 4, no. 1 (March 1981): 1-24. 

3. Dunn, Theron. Why Do We Keep Secrets? September 18, 2007. http://beaconofmasoniclight.blogspot.com/2007/09/why-do-we-keep-secrets.html. 

4. Firestone, Roger M. "Why Secrecy?" The Working Tools magazine, August 2006: 30-33. 

5. Holyfield, Lori, and Gary A. Fine. "Secrecy, Trust, and Dangerous Leisure: Generating Group Cohesion in Voluntary Organizations." Social Psychology Quarterly 59, no. 1 (March 1996): 22-38.

6. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

7. Porter, Cliff. Secrecy and Faith. November 24, 2007. http://therelevantmason.blogspot.com/2007/11/there-are-many-different-groups.html. 

8. Sigler, Cory. "What in the world does the world think we’re hiding?" The Working Tools magazine, August 2006: 29.

9. Simmel, Georg. "The Sociology of Secrecy and of Secret Societies." American Journal of Sociology (The University of Chicago Press) 11, no. 4 (January 1906): 441-498.

10. Why Privacy Matters Even if You Have 'Nothing to Hide'. May 15, 2011. http://chronicle.com/article/Why-Privacy-Matters-Even-if/127461/.

Adoniram

Adoniram is a peculiar character in Freemasonry. He is another figure not mentioned in Craft Masonry, but makes an appearance in the Cryptic degrees in the American York Rite and the Lodge of Perfection of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite. In Freemasonry, Adoniram is Hiram's successor after the Tragedy of the Third Degree. His appearance comes to us suddenly, abruptly, and he is elevated to a place of great importance with little explanation as to why.

Focusing primarily on the York Rite of Freemasonry, Adoniram appears in the Royal Master degree of the Cryptic Rite. In the first section of the Royal Master there is a conversation held between Adoniram and Hiram Abiff where a lecture that is one of the most beautiful and impacting seen in Freemasonry. If I had to describe in one word the lesson of Adoniram I would choose "Duty"; duty to improve ourselves and the world around us with the finite amount of time we have in this world. There are many theories as to who Adoniram was and there are some who theorize that he is one and the same as Hiram Abiff as they say Adoniram is two names compounded: "Adon" meaning Lord and Hiram, but many reject this as Adoniram is named as the overseer of the workmen in Lebanon and never named to be a worker of brass as Hiram Abiff was; both men appear to be two separate individuals. Out of all the various theories there emerged in Europe a clandestine group known as Adoniramite Freemasonry or sometimes referred to as the Adoptive Rite, but as it was not sustained by the Scriptural history or Masonic tradition it soon ceased to exist.

Adoniram can also be found in the Bible where he is named in charge of those working for King Solomon. In 1 Kings 4:6 he is said to be "over the tribute" and in 1 Kings 5:14 was "over the levy" that was sent to Lebanon. Some believe that Adoniram is the same as Adoram named in 2 Samuel 20:24 who was named to be "over the tribute" under King David, but there is debate as Adoniram is listed to have worked for King Rehoboam (who succeeded Solomon) 47-years after Adoram is mentioned in the 2nd Book of Samuel. 1 Kings also mentions a man named Hadoram that was stoned to death by the people while in discharge of his duties as treasurer or tax-collector. Some still say they were the same person as it is unlikely that even two persons with the similar name would bear the same office and that it is not impossible for someone to have served in officer for 47-years and could have, with this length of time, served in various positions for David, Solomon, and Rehoboam.

Although not tied with the legend of Craft Masonry, Adoniram plays an important figure as the one that succeeded Hiram Abiff as Chief Architect of the Temple. This role isn't necessarily backed up by Biblical references, but the Scriptures do point him out as a prominent figure in the King's Court and relied upon for important aspects of the building of King Solomon's Temple. As with many ancient Biblical figures there is debate as to whether Adoniram is in fact Hiram Abiff, but many do not believe as it is not strongly supported. It is still unclear as to how he gained prominence, but it is believed Adoniram came about as a result of various orders that emerged in France. Remember to be diligent to our duty to God, Country, Family/Friends, and to the Craft.

Summer Break!!

Well, I've just finished with my last Final Exam for this Semester. This Winter and Spring has been a very hectic one for me and I am ready for some relaxation...although it will be interrupted by a few weeks of college courses I am taking to secure my projected Graduation date of Spring 2014.

I'm looking forward to some sleeping in and catching up on writing more chapters of my book. Summer also means the annual treks up to the historical Placerville Lodge, Idaho City Lodge, and Silver City Lodge.