Friday, November 20, 2009

I have the new site up and running now-
http://wwww.mastermason.com/TheKeyStoneReporter/

Thursday, September 24, 2009

you can request a copy of the December issue of the KeyStone Reporter by E-mail at keystonepublishing@sbcglobal.net

Friday, June 19, 2009

Summer 2009

General Masonic Questions

Q. When was the Mother Grand Lodge formed?
A. In 1717, in London, England

Q. Who was the first Grand Master of the Mother Grand Lodge?
A. Anthony Sabers, Gentleman.

Q. When were the Constitutions first printed?
A. In 1723

Q. How many Lodges formed the Mother Grand Lodge?
A. Four.

Q. What were there names?
A. They had no names in those days; they were simply “The Lodge meeting at the Rummer and Grapes Tavern,” “The Lodge meeting at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern,” etc.

Q. What Presidents have been Masters of Lodges?
A. George Washington, of Alexandria Lodge, Alexandria, VA; James Buchanan, of Lodge No.43, Lancaster, PA; and Harry S. Truman, Grandview Lodge No.618 of Missouri.

Q. What Presidents have been a Grand Master?
A. Andrew Jackson. He was never a Master of a Lodge, but was elected from the floor of the Grand Lodge to be Grand Master of Tennessee; and Harry S. Truman, Missouri, 1940

Q. Who was William Morgan?
A. A renegade Mason who disappeared, and who was falsely said to have been murdered by Masons because of his intention to publish an expose` of Masonic Ritual.
Q. What famous German poet was a Freemason?
A. Goethe, the author of many poems, including one on Freemasonry, the first verse of which runs: The Mason’s ways are a type of existence, and his persistence is as the days are of men in this world. The future hides in it Gladness and sorrow; we press still thorow Naught that abides in it Daunting us -onward.

Q. What famous English architect was a Freemason?
A. Sir Christopher Wren, who built, among many other famous structures, the great St. Paul’s Cathedral, in London.

Q. Name three famous American Revolutionary Day patriots who were
Grand Masters?
A. Paul Revere; General Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill; and Benjamin Franklin.

Q. Name the Presidents of the United States positively known to have been Masons?
A. Washington, Monroe, Polk, Buchanan, A. Johnson, Garfield, McKinley, T. Roosevelt, Taft, Harding, F.D. Roosevelt, Truman, (L.B. Johnson – E.A) (and a few since then).

Q. Was Lincoln a Freemason?
A. In his heart, yes. He was never raised in any lodge, so far as the records go.

Q. Is there a General Grand Lodge of the United States?
A. There is not. One was proposed in the early days of Freemasonry in this country, and George Washington was approached as a possible General Grand Master, but refused.

Q. Will there ever be one?
A. Impossible to say what the future will bring forth, but the sentiment of every Grand Lodge is unalterably opposed to it. The Grand Masters Conference is on record against it. The Masonic Service Association has written into its constitution a provision against it.


Q. What is the meaning of the “Profane” as applied to a non-Mason?
A. Literally, “without the temple;” uninstructed, uninformed, ignorant of Masonry, not a member of the Order. In this connection it does not describe the non-Mason as a blasphemes person.

Q. What is the meaning of the word Abiff?
A. Literally, “His Father,” meaning one having authority, an elder, a wise man looked up to. Hiram Abiff thus means “Hiram, my father,” a man venerated for his wisdom and his accomplishments.



Q. Why do we call Master “Worshipful?”
A. From the old English word “worchyp,” meaning “greatly respected.” In the Wycliffe Bible, “Honor thy Father and thy Mother” is written, “Worchyp thy fadir and thy modir.” “Worshipful Master,” does not mean “Master to be Worshipped,” but “Master, greatly respected.”

Q. Why do we have a Grand Master, a Grand Lodge, instead of a Great Master, a Principal Lodge?
A. “Grand” here means first, or primary. It is also so used in grandfather, or grand total; the first or principal father of the family; the principal total.

Q. Is a Worshipful Master obliged to wear a hat?
A. No. It is his privilege, and his alone, to remain covered in the lodge. In ancient days the king or ruler remained covered, his subjects removing their headgear as a sign of respect. Brethren remove their headgear before entering a lodge as a sign of respect; the Master remains covered to signify that his position is that to which the greatest respect should be paid. The hat is a symbol of his office. But he is not obliged to wear if he does not desire to do so.

Q. Would a uniform ritual in all Jurisdictions be desirable?
A. Had the ritual been uniform from the beginning it might have been desirable. As all Jurisdictions have their own form of the ancient ritual, any change now, looking toward uniformity, would be deplorable. It would be resented by all who love the ritual of their own Jurisdictions, and would inevitably lose many historical allusions and connotations now preserved in the various rituals. All the rituals teach the same lessons and impart the same knowledge, only the wording being different. An attempt at uniformity would gain little, and might lose much.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him
and never say its not quite as good as his mothers



..then buy a dog.




If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour,
for as long and wherever you want ...



...then buy a dog.




If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn't care
about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies


...then buy a dog.



If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just to

warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores


...then buy a dog!



If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn't care
if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if
every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves
you unconditionally, perpetually .

...then buy a dog.



BUT, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come
when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair
all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night and only
comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence
is solely to ensure his happiness . . .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.



...then buy a cat!

Now be honest, you thought I was gonna say... marry a man, didn't you?
Send this to all the women you know to brighten their day.

Send this to all the men just to make their day.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

AKC Holiday Cards AKC Holiday Cards for Dog Lovers
Celebrate the season and send AKC Holiday Cards! This adorable collection of cards will bring joy to everyone on your list. And, you can customize your cards by adding your personal imprint for FREE when you order 3 or more boxes. Shop now.
AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day Put Your Paw Print on the AKC Pet Promise
Sometimes, we need a reminder of everything that is required of us in return for the wonderful privilege of having a dog. Dogs bring us love, affection, comfort, security and unrivaled devotion, despite our flaws or past mistakes. So what do we owe them in return?

The American Kennel Club has created AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day to help educate first-time dog owners about the commitment required and to help current owners enhance their relationships with their pet. Each September, all across the country, hundreds of free events are held to commemorate this day and educate people about responsible dog ownership. Read more

Saturday, October 18, 2008



A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of little boy 'Mister,' he said, 'I want to buy one of your puppies.'

'Well,' said the farmer,as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, 'These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.'

The boy dropped his head for a moment.Then reaching deep into his pocket,he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.

'I've got thirty-nine cents.Is that enough to take a look?'



'Sure,' said the farmer.And with that he let out a whistle.'Here, Dolly!' he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran




Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.
As the dogs made their way to the fence,






The little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.

Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.

In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, 'You see sir, I don't run too well myself,and he will need someone who understands.'

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.




Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.



'How much?' asked the little boy. 'No charge,' answered the farmer, 'There's no charge for love.'

The world is full of people who need someone who understands .

It's National Friendship Week.

Show your friends how much you care.
Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND.

If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.