ABF 85 (9)

June, 2020

Edition

Editor: RWBro

Steve Kennard

Volume 85: No. 9

The Grand Lodge of Alberta

ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

210, 2816 11 Street N.E.

Calgary, AB, T2E 7S7

Telephone (403) 262-1149

May 19, 2020

Brethren;

With the start of the Province’s relaxation of the rules surrounding the State of Emergency, I’m sure most

members are wondering if they can attend Lodge. I have considered this issue extensively and have sought ad-

vice from numerous people, including members of AHS who are members of the craft. They all advise caution and patience.

Based on this advice, starting on June 1, 2020, lodges located in the Province where the State of Emergency

has been relaxed will be able to hold meetings under strict conditions. Calgary and Brooks lodges cannot, at this time hold, meetings. All meetings must follow the Province of Alberta’s Covid-19 gathering restrictions such as:

1. limits on attendance (15 maximum in a building);

2. mandated physical distancing of at least 2 Metres from each other;

3. access to hand washing / sanitizing stations; 4. use of Physical Protection Equipment (PPE); and

5. exclude people who have any symptoms.

Please see the Government of Alberta Covid-19 website for a complete list.

The WM will be responsible to ensure the lodge is following the directives laid out by AHS. The WM will also

need to know, in advance, who will be in attendance to ensure the attendance limit is not exceeded. At this

time, lodges will not be open to visiting except by-invitation-only from the WM and keeping within the 15-

person maximum. Remember, while lodges may hold meetings, of primary concern is member’s safety. If you have symptoms or are uncomfortable with attending lodge, please stay home.

The Initiation ceremony and the third degree are not permitted at this time, due to social distancing require-

ment from AHS. The Fellowcraft or second degree, can be performed as long as the candidate follows his guide, and the Grip and Token be demonstrated on yourself and not with the candidate.

Regarding the Installation ceremony, balloting has been laid out in my letter of Mar 28, 2020. The handing

Editorial Brethren, Welcome to the June edition of the Alberta Freema-

son, who said Freemasons can’t change? The Grand

line has worked out a plan to keep the normal timeline for turning over the Grand Master’s gavel, thereby

ensuring that the Grand Lodge Communication will

go ahead this year albeit in a different format. There

will only be up to 15 attendees complying with the

regulations in place by the province. I have therefore

had to make some changes to the normal June edition to take this into account. You will find a page

“Elections for 2020-2021” which lists those who have

put their names forward for the various positions. At

the time of publishing the actual details concerning how you, a master mason in good standing, will be

able to vote, have not yet been solidified; I will there-

fore be sending out a special edition detailing this on June 11th. Continued on page 5

ABF 85 (9) 2

over of the Gavel from the Worshipful Master to the Installing Master or from the Installing Master to a Past

Master, the grip and word of an installed master may be by-passed in this instance. The handing over of the Gavel from the Installing Master to a New Worshipful Master, while maintain social distancing, remains the

largest stumbling block. On advice from AHS, and if both the Installing Master and Master-elect are comforta-

ble with the situation, the Gavel can be passed using the following approach:

1. N95 masks must be worn by both parties (must be N95, not homemade),

2. Latex Gloves must be worn by both parties,

3. Keep the contact period as short as possible, and

4. Use hand sanitizer after contact.

If either party is not comfortable with the situation, or the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are not avail-

able, Installation cannot go forward at this time.

Grand Lodge Annual Communications will take place at Freemason’s Hall, 10318 – 100 Ave., Edmonton on

June 12 – 13, 2020. Due to the State of Emergency restrictions placed on us by the Province, the attendance will be strictly regulated and be “by-invitation-only”. Since we are unable to have a full debate on the Constitu-

tional Amendments put forward by the Board of General Purposes, only those motions which are considered

“housekeeping” motions will be dealt with. These motions are those motions that keep Grand Lodge function-ing on a daily basis or are of a routine nature. Please see “Overview of Grand Lodge Communications 2020”

for further information.

Since we are unable to collect physical ballots this year, we will be utilizing a digital election process that will

enable a much larger portion of our members to cast a ballot for the various positions open on the Grand Line and Committees. The actual process will be looked after by an Edmonton firm, with the Grand Registrar be in

charge of reporting the results to Grand Lodge. The instructions on how to vote will be fanned out from the

Grand Secretary, to Lodge Secretaries and then to the member’. To ensure only one vote per member, the member’s GL Number will be part of the verification information required to cast your ballot.

At this time, there will be no ladies program at Grand Lodge. For the people who will be at the Grand Lodge

Communications on June 12 and continuing on with installation in the afternoon, there will be sandwiches and

coffee between the two sessions.

Brethren, these are trying times we’re all going through. I know you will have lots of questions and we at

Grand Lodge will attempt to answer them. But you also have a responsibility to the Lodge but more specifical-

ly to the Laws of the Province. If a brother is not comfortable doing something, don’t pressure them. Remem-ber it is not only their life they’re putting at risk, its also their wives, children, and grandchildren.

I hope you all remain safe and healthy. I’m looking forward to seeing each and everyone of you in lodge over

the next few years.

Ken Cheel Grand Master

Provided to Freemasons of Alberta and the Northwest

Territories west of the 4th Meridian who are members of

The Grand Lodge of Alberta, A.F. & A.M.

Ste 210 2816 11 Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7S7

Tel 403-262-1140

www.freemasons.ab.ca

Grand Master MWBro Ken Cheel

Deputy Grand Master RWBro Reg Karbonik

Senior Grand Warden RWBro Terry Murray

Junior Grand Warden RWBro Chris Uchman

Grand Secretary RWBro Bill Kostenuk

Published each month except July and August by

The Grand Lodge of Alberta, A.F. & A.M.

Editor: RWBro Steve Kennard

Tel 403-701-4071

e-mail: editor@freemasons.ab.ca

The Alberta Freemason

Editor: RWBro Steve Kennard Editorial Board:

Bro Robin Carson WBro Eric Bumstead

Submissions and photos for publication from all Brethren are welcome.

Deadline for copy is the 15th day of the month prior to the month of issue.

The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject and re-write material submitted for publication.

Republication rights are granted to other Masonic Jurisdictions, but acknowledgement is requested.

ABF 85 (9) 3

Preliminary Overview of Grand Lodge Communications for 2020

1. GL Communications June 12, 9:00 am:

a. Open GL in ample form with minimum # of participants

b. Declare Balloting Open

c. Go to refreshment

2. Elections will be for: a. JGW (1)

b. Grand Treasurer (Acclaimed)

c. Board of General Purposes (5) d. MHEBC (2)

e. Board of Benevolence (Acclaimed)

f. Jurisprudence (Acclaimed)

3. GL Communications June 13, 9:00 am:

a. People required: i. GM ii. DGM

iii. SGW

iv. JGW

v. DofC vi. G Parliamentarian

vii. GTreas.

viii. GSEC ix. President BGP

x. Chairman Finance

xi. Others by invitation to a maximum 15

b. Resume GL c. At 10:00 am declare Elections Closed – Receive report from Grand Registrar

i. Announce/ declare members Elected

d. Receive Reports i. Motions from Finance

1. Re-appoint Grand Secretary

2. Select Auditor

3. Approve Audited Financial Statements 4. Move money to MHEBF

5. Budget

ii. Motions From BGP 1. PDDGM Rank

2. Move the actions of the Board be ratified

3. All other motions “Postpone Definitely to an Especial Communication of the Grand

Lodge of Alberta to be held at the call of the Grand Master when the Government of Al-berta regulations allow.”

iii. Grand Masters Concluding remarks will be vary brief with the full text sent to the Grand

Secretary for the proceedings and to the AFM for inclusion.

e. Break for Lunch

4. 1:30 pm. - Ceremony of Installation – Under MW Bro. Kenn Culbertson

5. Proclamation by DofC, - Closing of Grand Lodge in ample form by GM

ABF 85 (9) 4

RWBro Kyle Scott

Aurora Borealis Lodge No.201

Millennium Lodge No.2000

Elections for 2020-2021

Grand Master

Automatic as per Part 1.1.G.2.B

RWBro Reg Karbonik

Redwood Lodge No. 193

Temple-Centennial Lodge No. 167

Deputy Grand Master &

Grand Master Elect

By acclamation

RWBro Terry Murray

St. Mark’s No. 118

Senior Grand Warden

By acclamation

RWBro Chris Uchman

Patricia Lodge No.91

Junior Grand Warden

One to be elected

All biographies in this issue have been edited only for style not for content

RWBro Murray Pay

St. Marks Lodge No. 118

Board of General Purpose (five to be elected for a 3 year term)

VWBro Robert Thachchuk No.183

RWBro Morris Nesdole No.71

RWBro Steve Kennard No.59&203

Bro Charles Harris No.198

WBro Ches Budgell No.2000

WBro Allan Tarleton No.95

RWBro David Wright No.142

Board of Benevolence

(two to be elected for a 2 year term)

MWBro Peter Dunlop

Sherwood Lodge No.183

(acclaimed)

Bro Dave Yakimetz

Beacon LodgeNo.190

(acclaimed)

Masonic Higher Education Bursary

Fund

(two to be elected for a 3 year term)

RWBro Gordon Harris No.71

RWBro Murray Pay No.118

RWBro Andy Pokolinski No.20

MWBro Kenn Culbertson No.166

Bro Frank Yakimchuk No.190

Jurisprudence

(Two to be elected for a 2 year term)

MWBro Ken Cheel

Saskatchewan Lodge No.92

(acclaimed)

RWBro Kimberly Greenizon

Carstairs Lodge No.20

(acclaimed)

Grand Treasurer

MWBro John Hart

Perfection Lodge No.9

(acclaimed)

ABF 85 (9) 5

Around the World

The Diamond in the Quarry

By Bro Michael Laidlaw

In my travels in Freemasonry-- my first step to

now, I have met men from all walks of life. Those

who came for various reasons, but we all share a com-

mon bond of humanity. We are all drawn to the work of Freemasonry for a reason. Some find out why and

some know r ight ou t of the gate.

For the sake of humility for the Lodge and man, I

will refrain from using names. When I was invited to

this particular Lodge, I was instantly put to work. The Lodge culture was drastically different than what I

was used to. Prospective members, Entered Appren-

tice, and Fellowcrafts are buzzing away and Master Masons were providing guidance. I had, on one occa-

sion, asked a potential Candidate how long he had

been coming to this Lodge and seeking membership. He said, "Five months now. I just earned my signatures and

will be voted on next month." I was stunned for a mo-

ment.

Previously I came from a Lodge that would give them out on the first or second day. Granted, I had

my affiliation application in hand with two endorse-

ments from Brothers I had known for some time. But I

knew in my heart; it would be wrong for me to hand it in right away after seeing these candidates for the

degrees--working so hard to gain admission. I worked

a committee for one year before I was told, "The Broth-

ers are asking when are you going to affiliate?" It was then

I knew I had "earned" my place with these craftsmen.

That year I had worked closely with a Brother who had invited me over to the Lodge to learn the roles of

the committee. It would be an understatement if I said

this Brother helps in the Lodge. He is a vital pulse to

the Lodge. And in my opinion, "The Diamond in The Quarry." We are builders and this man builds every-

thing, from events to the men around him. "Some flex

and some lift." This Brother is a powerlifter. No matter how far-fetched my idea or the ideas of others

are, he will encourage you to go for it. But I have

learned it cannot be half-hearted. It has to be all in. If you want education, he will ask, "What have you set up?

What speakers or topics do you have in place?" If you want

events, he will chip away at your

thoughts then give you some of his own. Helping you build on your

ideas.

It's men like this that challenge

you mentally, that the Craft needs.

Also, these kinds of men make a Lodge successful. We all have

lifters in the Lodge when you fall,

they brush you off and instill a

sense of pride that makes you keep going. They are

from page 1 Suffice to say voting will begin at 10am

on Friday June 12th, concluding at 10am on Saturday June 13th. Be sure that you have paid your 2020 dues

as this is how you are considered to be in good stand-

ing.

As the regulations relating to COVID-19 are relaxed over the next weeks and months, remember that there

will be brethren who are reluctant to jump back into

meetings due to their own, or a family member’s, per-sonal situation. Without doubt, the Zoom type meet-

ings have been a great success throughout the craft and

concordant bodies, allowing brethren to connect with

their brothers both near and far. I challenge you to work out how to keep them alive (beyond the return to

regular meetings) as there will still be brethren who are

unable to attend in person. I must say that the Zoom meetings I have attended have been totally innovative

and a credit to those who put them together. It con-

firms the adage “adversity is the mother of invention”,

long may it be so. At this time I am expecting to have a mid June edi-

tion. At the beginning of the shutdown I decided, uni-

laterally, to implement a mid month edition to keep some masonic education/discussion available to breth-

ren while social distancing kept them away from their

lodge and I certainly hope that you have found it to be

so. I am very much looking forward to sitting in lodge

with our brethren again, however, I am not yet ready

to jeopardise the diligence and sacrifices of the last 10 weeks.

I would normally attend the Grand Lodge Com-

munication and congratulate those who have been

elected or appointed for the ensuing year. I would

therefore say in advance; Congratulations Brethren,

have a wonderful and fulfilling year.

Keep well and stay safe brethren,

Steve, Editor AFM editor@freemasons.ab.ca

ABF 85 (9) 6

the ones who will sit back and watch you succeed

and ask for nothing in return. Believe me when I say I've seen this first-hand from this man.

Men like this, build temples. The men around them and ultimately, humanity is made better. Is this not

the work of a Craftsman? Shouldn't we strive to

build all around us? In this trying time, Masonry--

her teachings and the guidance of these "diamonds" are needed, now more than ever. In the words of a

great man, I will close with this: "Diamonds lay dormant, they hide from the profane (undeserving), you

must dig for them."

~ML

Michael Laidlaw was raised to the Sublime degree

in 2011 and is a plural Member of South Pasadena

290 and Southern California Research Lodge where

he is Junior Warden and Pop Culture editor for The

Fraternal Review Magazine. He is also serving as

Senior Steward for Arcadia 278. Michael is an ac-

tive council member for Jobs Daughters Bethel 210

Arcadia (where his daughter is serving as Honored

Queen) and serves on the Grand Lodge of Califor-

nia Youth Orders Committee. He is a 32° Scottish

Rite Mason from the Valley Of Pasadena Orient of

California where he has completed all three Master

Craftsman Courses. Michael is also a member of

San Gabriel Valley Chapter No. 100 RAM, Alham-

bra Council No. 25 CM, and Foothill Commandery

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ABF 85 (9) 7

No. 63 KT. He also holds Membership in Cinema

Grotto and Order of Eastern Star.

Ed’ This article was first posted by the Midnight Freemasons

on March 30th, 2020 and is published here with the kind

permission of the Midnight Freemasons. I hope to see more

from Bro. Laidlaw in future editions

Here is a definition of a word found within Masonic

ritual that is not common outside of our Lodge rooms.

Sere. Recall these words from the lecture: ‘sinking

into the sere and yellow leaf of old age’. The word

‘sere’ entered the English language from the pen of

William Shakespeare; in the play “MacBeth”, Act 5

Scene 3 “I have lived long enough: my way of life / Is

fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf: And that which

should accompany old age…”. In this sense ‘sere’

means the autumn of life. For the Mason who studies

the liberal arts, hearing the word ‘sere’ in our Ritual

comes as a pleasant reminder of the value of education

to polish and adorn the mind. All Masons should

make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.

Provided for your daily advancement in Masonic knowledge

from the Sarnia District Masonic Library. WBro. Marshall

Kern, Librarian & Historian. www.sarniadistrictmasons.ca

Alberta Education

“To Be Connected”

By WBro William (Bill) Brook

Connection

The act of connecting: the state of being connected,

such as: Casual or logical relation or sequence ~ the connection

between two ideas

Contextual relation or association ~ in this connection

the word has a different meaning

Relationship in fact ~ wanted in connection with a rob-bery

Connectivity

The quality, state, or capability of being connective or

connected especially:

The ability to connect to or communicate with

another computer or computer system or person to person

“You can make more friends in two months

by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other

people interested in you”

Dale Carnegie

Regardless of status or fame, people are people, thus

meeting on the level as equals, even though we do have a hierarchal system in Freemasonry, we are all

treated as equals. This allows us to be more receptive

and open to being connected to our fellow man on

several different levels. Here are some pillars that can assist all in developing a better connection with others:

1. Be genuine ~ the only connections that work are

the ones that you truly care about. If you don’t

have a real connection with another, they will see through this, and you will lose any relation-

ship with that person you are trying to acquire.

2. Provide assistance ~ Too many people never

reach out to those that may require support due to apathy or very little return …” what’s in it for

me” type mentality. Break yourself from these

thoughts and reach out and assist your fellow man. Even if they do not take you up on your

offer, they will remember the act.

3. Pay attention ~ invest genuine time in learning

what matters to your fellow man and figure out how you can help them when needed.

4. Connect with friends ~ spend more time con-

necting with your current network of friends and colleagues and see where it will lead.

5. Be persistent ~ don’t be in a hurry, but don’t be

invisible either...send the email, leave the voice

message; the person on the other end will con-nect with you, but you may have to take the first,

third or tenth step before they can connect with

you. 6. Make real friends ~ think about how you made

friends you have today, you only make friends

you genuinely want in your life...you don’t have

to overthink this one. Similar interests, hobbies all tie into making the friends you want in your

life.

7. Remain unforgettable ~ It is surprising how the simplest things never get done. Being memorable

is not as hard as one thinks, as it is the smallest

of gestures that can go the longest of ways.

Connecting with others is proven by research to be

good for our moods and even our physical health.

ABF 85 (9) 8

How often have you had a bad day, but after getting

the “ambition” to get up and go to the Lodge meet-ing, you find yourself in a better mood, more the

better for having gone then having stayed at home

and wallowed in the displeasure your day has brought

you so far?

Connecting with others provides a sense of openness and availability to another person, even as you feel

they are open and available to you. We feel genuine

goodwill to the other person we have made a connec-tion.

Due to this connectivity, we, as men and Masons,

come together due to similar interests in getting to

know one another. It is in our DNA to have connec-tions with others even if you are a functioning intro-

vert; you still have an underlining need or desire to be

connected in some fashion with your fellow man.

This does not necessarily manifest itself into a phys-

ical connection, as it is more esoteric, in an intellec-tual, cerebral relationship with one another. Being

like-minded in thoughts and deeds striving to a

common goal, in this case, to build the Lodge into a haven where one can be themselves around like-

minded men of similar tastes and interests ~ to find

the connect one so often desires.

With this connection, we can make “good men,

better” by imparting in others the lessons and teach-ings handed down from generation to generation.

Teaching the traditions revealed to us, to others, helps

build them up to be better Masons and better men in today’s society in general.

WBro William (Bill) Brook

Secretary/Treasurer Fort McMurray Lodge 195

Ed’ thank you WBro Brook for your research and thoughts.

A Look Back

By Bro Robin Carson

Sometimes we get an unexpected glimpse into the

past. While history books can paint a sort of back-

ground to the story of who we are and where we come from, it is an anecdote told by our grandfather,

a forgotten photograph in a dusty trunk — or a

yellowed magazine tossed in the trash — that can provide a human feel to dry fact.

Recently, RW Bro Jerry W. Kopp, our Grand Secre-

tary Emeritus, sent just such memento to the Alberta

Freemason. It was an article published in the Febru-ary 1954 issue of The Farm and Ranch Review about

the enmity churches sometimes feel toward Freema-

sonry. The article came with this note from RW Bro

Kopp:

This newspaper was discarded into the garbage in a

Lodge. I found it interesting as to its coloration; and

once in my hands, I noted the year — 1954. With the permission of the Lodge, they allowed me to take the

garbage home. Once at home, I discovered this story

and felt that it should be shared with our Brethren. Very interesting, nothing seems to have changed —

and the lessons remain. JWK

Since the article is very long, here are some of its most important points printed just as the magazine

presented them with the language and punctuation of

sixty-six years ago. Three asterisks show where we

have skipped some material. The entire article is available in the University of Alberta archives at

http ://peel .l ibrary.ualberta .ca/newspapers/

FRR/1954/02/01/44/

Is Freemasonry an Enemy of the

Christian Church?

by Frank S. Morley, PhD (Edin.) BD

(Originally published in Farm and Ranch Review:

February 1954, Page 44.)

ARCHITECTURE is man’s characteristic mark on

the earth. It is universal and timeless. From the begin-

ning man was a builder. He has not been content with utilitarian structure. The builders of Tower of Babel

said, “Go to, let us build us a city and a tower whose

top may reach unto heaven”. So always man has shown his religious strivings in his structures, the

quest of his spirit for truth, goodness, and beauty

ABF 85 (9) 9

whether it be in the Parthenon, the Pyramids or in the

astounding masonry of Tiahuanaco of the amazing Incan civilizations.

Thus, it is not surprising if a great brotherhood

should be formed about something that is instinctive

in the most primitive man: his creative urge to build. Indeed, since Masonry is natural to man, it is also

the most ancient of the organizations of man. This is

denied by some, but any examination of evidence justifies its antiquity. The oldest classic of China,

twenty centuries before Christ, urged, “Ye officers of

Government, apply the compasses”.

The Great Learning, five hundred years before Christ, exhorted men to abstain from doing unto

others what they would not that men should do to

them, “and this is called the principle of acting on the square”. The sixth Book of the Philosophy of Menci-

us relates, “A Master Mason, in teaching apprentices,

makes use of the compasses and the square. Ye who

are engaged in the pursuit of wisdom must also make use of the compass and the square”. Cleopatra’s

Needle, dating back to the fifteenth century before

Christ was taken from Heliopolis, centre of the Sun God worship, to Alexandria and in 1878 it was given

to the United States by a Khedive of Egypt and

placed in Central Park, New York. The Masonic

emblems are found in its foundations. Solomon’s Temple, at its time the wonder of the world, was built

by a guild called the Dionysian Artificers, pledged to

secrecy, imported from Phoenicia. In ancient Rome these Dionysian Artificers were

known as the College of Architects, with religious

rites of initiations and an organization in form like the

modem Masonic Lodge. Their influence on Rome was so great that it has been called “A Masonic Built

City’.

* * * The Farm and Ranch Review does not credit Dr.

Morley's Masonic credentials or provide any context

for the article. However, Ivanhoe Lodge's "History of

the Grand Lodge of Alberta" identifies him as "Bro. Rev. Dr. Frank S. Morley, Minister of Grace Presby-

terian Church in Calgary . . ." but apart from his

being identified as officiating at funerals of several highly-placed Masonic brothers, little else about him

is available.

In his article, Brother Morley outlines the major criticisms of Freemasonry and attempts to disarm

each one:

[Freemasonry] is not a political party. It does not

advocate any social or economic order. Nevertheless,

Masonry is severely criticized in all countries. I have

received much literature from Britain containing criticisms. Groups of Churchmen in this country have

been bitterly critical. Again, why?

* * *

It is accused of secrecy which is held to be socially divisive. But as Newton says, "There is a common

notion that Masonry is a secret society, whereas its

one great secret is that it has no secret. Its principles are published abroad in its writings; its purposes are

known and the times and places of its meetings".

Such organizations are constructive of a good society

and certainly not destructive. Masons are good citizens. They have to be.

Some have held that the numerous vows required

lead to insincerity. Truly many men are insincere in their vows. But then that is true in the Church. I have

known men and women to have their children

baptized in Church and they took solemn vows.

Many of them have made no effort whatever to keep the vows. They were just plain liars. Others have

taken vows on joining the Church. The ink was

scarcely dry on their signatures before they had denied everything to which they were pledged.

Insincerity is not confined to Masonic vows.

* * *

Masonry is criticized for using up the enthusiasm and spare time of the layman. But would he devote that

energy to the Church if he did not give to the Lodge?

Masonry is condemned as a social club. Is there anything wrong with being a social club, a good,

clean club? Certainly, Masonry is much more than

that and when it is merely a club it loses its dynamic.

* * *

As a clergyman, Dr. Morley directly addresses the

religious criticisms of Freemasonry. For example (and

the capital letters are his own), he says, " THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN THE MASONIC

ORDER CONTRADICTORY TO CHRISTIAN

FAITH AND PRACTICE," as a response to those who suggest that Freemasonry "[creates] the idea that

salvation can come without Christ." However, he also

firmly admonishes Masonic Lodges themselves:

Now there are some practices of Masonry which

distress me. Too often they flout the Sabbath. They

hold breakfasts which discourage Church attendance

to put it mildly. They hold practices which prohibit Church attendance. But these could be corrected.

The piece ends with a summary of Masonry's contri-

butions. Dr. Morley focuses on four main points: Masonry stands for UNITY. In a world splintered by

racial and national groups, divided by class enmities,

ABF 85 (9) 10

embittered by social and economic strife, Masonry

draws all men into fraternity. Certainly, the Church with its emphasis on denominationalism, its rivalries

and struggle for power, too often sets a bad example

and at times increases rather than diminishes the

antagonisms of mankind. Masonry stands for THE SIMPLICITY OF TRUE

RELIGION — the Fatherhood of God, the Brother-

hood of Man, the moral laws, the golden rule and Eternal Life at the last. Too often again the Church

has brought people into a maze of incomprehensible

theology with its “hocus pocus” (originally from “hoc

est corpus” — “This is my body”) and its silly super-stitions that are often an affront to man’s intelligence

and moral nature.

Masonry stands for CHARITY. The charitable work done by Masonry is tremendous. It is not publicized

except in such magnificent enterprises as the Shrine

hospitals. Not even Masons know how much kind-

ness and help are given by their Lodges. The Shrine hospitals, indeed, much of their charitable deeds, are

for all people without regard to religion or race. “Not,

what is your creed? But what is your need?” is their motto.

Masonry stands for RELIGION CARRIED INTO

LIFE. A Masons is commanded to practice rectitude

in his life. The foundation of his building is faith in God and from that foundation is to be erected a life of

restraint and integrity. Justice and honour in all deal-

ings are demanded of him. * * *

Unfortunately, Dr. Morley digresses into attacks on

churches themselves using words such as 'silly super-

stitions' (above). He also is strongly critical of what he perceives as a general lack of brotherhood in churches

and blames such weaknesses for a decline in church

membership.

Dr. Morley speaks for a different world and a differ-

ent Freemasonry. His was a world of growing lodges

and of Masonic members who almost certainly attended church every Sunday. It was a world in

which travel was still difficult, television was in its

infancy and the Internet did not even exist as a

concept. That said though, Dr. Morley's article remains a thoughtful rebuttal of criticisms of our Craft

— criticisms that are not always accurate or even fair.

Ed’ I must thank Bro Robin for taking this project on. I

asked him to review the article and he has I believe cracked open words written in the mid 20th century and explains

them in today’s language.

Around the Province

Lodge Banner Project for

Palliser District

One of the greatest highlights for Palliser District

this past year has been the completion of a Lodge Banner project for all five lodges within the district.

The project began in May 2019 when DDGM

RWBro Stuart Hardiker noted that very few lodges in Alberta and none within Palliser district had lodge

banners. Bro Hardiker being from Scotland found this

to be unusual, so he inquired about the cost of mak-

ing cloth banners for each of the lodges. Finding that the project was too expensive to pursue he began

exploring other avenues. Fortunately he learned of

the work of WBro Ron Baker from the UGLE who paints lodge banners. In discussion with WBro Baker

he agreed to paint an initial lodge banner for the

oldest lodge within the District; Medicine Hat Lodge

No. 2. WBro. Baker paints the lodge banner on very large picture frames, lacquers the finished work, and

then ships them to the district without any cost. In

return, he only asks that each lodge make a charitable contribution to a Masonic, Military or Youth charity.

Given that Bro Baker is a Military veteran and a care-

taker for a Canadian War Cemetery in England, two

of the lodges decided to make donations to the Invic-tus Games. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the other

three lodges have yet to make a decision regarding

their charitable donation. In June 2019, RWBro Roger Cowan was installed

DDGM of Palliser District and together with Broth-

ers Baker and Hardiker the three continued the

Banner Project to its completion. The planning and design for each of the banners was accomplished

through numerous emails back and forth between the

three brethren over the past year. Each banner was constructed and painted in a similar manner by WBro

Baker. The centre of each banner displays the mosaic

tile of black and white bordered by exact replicas of

each individual Lodge’s Pillars. On the left is Boaz and the right is Jachin. Various other prominent ma-

sonic symbols are placed on the floor such as an altar

along with the ashlars, a square and compass or level. The most significant features are those elements

which are unique to each of the different lodges.

Continued on page 11

ABF 85 (9) 11

Medicine Hat Lodge #2 Banner

Presented September 9, 2019

Founded after the arrival of the Canadian Pacific

Railroad to Medicine Hat in 1883, Medicine Hat Lodge No.2 petitioned the Grand Lodge of Manito-

ba. After Alberta became a province in 1905 they be-

came one of the oldest and original lodges in Alberta. The banner features the Lodge Crest and a steam lo-

comotive with the provincial flags of Manitoba and

Alberta along with the date of 1883. At the top of the

banner is a gas-lamp, which is still in use in the down-town of the “Gas City”.

WBro Ron Baker is seen holding the Medicine Hat

#2 Banner at his home in Buckinghamshire England.

Mizpah Lodge #35 Banner

Presented October 15, 2019

Mizpah is the Hebrew word for watch-tower, so it

was fitting to feature a representation of the biblical

story of Jacob and Laban building a watch tower of stone for the Mizpah Lodge Banner. The bottom of

the banner highlights the provincial flower, the wild

rose and forget-me-not bordering the Lodge’s biblical

verse.

Brooks Lodge #73 Banner

Presented November 18, 2019

The City of Brooks was also founded by the railroad

in 1883 but grew in prominence in the early 1900s

RWBro Stuart Hardiker present-

ing the Medicine Hat Lodge

Banner to WBro Don Hamilton RWBro Stuart Hardiker and

RWBRo Roger Cowan

presenting the banner to

WBro Herb Fox.

RWBro Stuart Hardiker and

RWBro Roger Cowan

presenting the banner to

WBro Cordell Dyck.

ABF 85 (9) 12

because of the formation of the Eastern Irrigation Dis-trict. The Brooks Lodge banner showcases their lodge

building in the center along with a locomotive passing

through the local historic Brooks Aqueduct.

Bassano Lodge #55 Banner

Presented February 13, 2020

Bassano Lodge’s banner is highlighted by the Bassano Dam along with the town motto of, “The Best in the

West by a Damsite”. At the bottom of the banner

features a rock altar along with old style lanterns as

lesser lights which are prominent features at the Bassano Outdoor Lodge.

Oyen Crocus Lodge #82 Banner Presentation TBD

A very distinct difference can be seen with the Oyen

Crocus Lodge Banner both in its presentation on the painting and in the background colouration. An agri-

cultural theme is highlighted along with the Prairie

Crocus flower in the center.

Palliser District Banner

Will be presented at District Meeting

(October 3, 2020)

To culminate the project, WBro Baker also painted a

district banner with the 5 Lodge Logos positioned at

the 5 points of a Canadian Maple Leaf. A Master Mason’s apron adorns the carpet. A key feature was

the surprise placement by WBro Baker of a Canada

Flag and Union Jack Masonic Pin as the hanger nail

for banner (missing in the photo)

These lodge banners are proudly on display in the

East at each of the Lodge rooms in Palliser District. The district brethren have been extremely impressed

and thankful to WBro Baker for his dedication,

commitment, time, patience and artistic ability in

capturing the essence of each lodge through these remarkable and cherished banners.

Respectfully prepared by RWBro Roger Cowan

DDGM Palliser District 2019-2020

RWBro Roger Cowan presented the banner to WBro Scott

Rose and the Brethren of Bassano Lodge

Palliser District Lodges Banners

Commissioned by: RWBro Stuart Hardider DDGM 2018-19

RWBro Roger Cowan DDGM 2019-20

Painted by:

WBro Ron Baker PPAGDC (Bucks)

PM Hundred of Burnham Lodge No.5568, Queensman Lodge No.2694 UGLE

ABF 85 (9) 13

An Artist’s Mind: From empty canvas; through planning; to the finished work

the Brooks Lodge Banner

ABF 85 (9) 14

June Book Review

“Morgan” By Stephen Dafoe

This is a very well researched book and eloquently

written,.

A story about when Mr Morgan was going to write

a tell-all about the Freemasons and disappeared.

a very strong example of how the actions of a few

Brothers can paint the entire craft with one stroke.

This affair devastated Masonry in the USA and

caused the forming the Anti Masonic party there.

The book can be purchased on Amazon.

--

R.W.Bro.George.W.Stamp

District Deputy Grand Master.

Yellowhead District G.R.A.

2018-2019

gwstamp@telus.net

780-817-0905