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Editor: MWBroRobert E. Juthner

February 2007

Vol. 72, No. 2

Norman Vincent Peale The Power of Positive ThinkingBy Robert Morris, in MSA STB Vol. 84 No. 10, October 2006One evening in the late 1970s, I at-

tended a talk by Dr. Norman VincentPeale at the Presbyterian Church inWayne, Pennsylvania. Many peopleattend talks, speeches, and lectures,and afterwards cant remember whatthe speaker talked about. Not so afterlistening to this great speaker. Amongother things, he told his audience thatif they really wanted to clean up smut intheir neighbourhood, they could, but

it would require diligence and seriouseffort. After the talk I was privilegedto meet him and shake his hand. Ican still remember how much he hadworked himself up in his effort, andhe was already in his eighties.

Norman Vincent Peale was born onMay 31, 1898 in Bowersville, a smalltown in southern Ohio, to Charlesand Anna Peale. He was delivered byhis own father, a former practicingphysician who had left the practiceof medicine to become a full-timeMethodist minister Norman earlyon became aware that he was apreachers son, and was accordinglyexpected to behave as such Aftergraduating from high school, Normanwent on to attend Ohio WesleyanUniversity, an affiliate of the Meth-odist Episcopal Church. While incollege he was still trying to decideon a profession. Although he had notdecided on the ministry, he knew hiswork would involve communicationin some form. Between his junior andsenior years, he worked as a reporter

for theMorning Republican in Findlay,Ohio. After graduating from Wesleyanin 1920, he took a similar position withtheJournal in Detroit.

It did not take long for Peale to realizethat this work was not his calling. Hecame to realize that his true calling layin the ministry. He was accepted into theBoston University School of Theology,and while pursuing his studies there,began taking on preaching assignmentsat a number of churches While still at

BU he was ordained a minister at the an-nual session of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch in September of 1922.

After completing his studies in Bos-ton in 1924, he accepted the pastorate ofthe Kings Highway Church in Brooklyn,New York, where he spent the next threeyears. While there, his dynamic and tire-less efforts increased the membership ofthe church from 100 to 900 members, a

true indication of things to come.It was also at this time that Peale

decided to become a Mason. He camefrom a Masonic family background: hisgrandfather had joined in 1869, and hisfather was a 50-year Mason who hadreceived the 32 in the Scottish Rite.Brother Norman Vincent Peale receivedhis Third Degree in Midwood Lodge No.310, Brooklyn, New York, in 1926, wherehe was a lifelong member. He joined theScottish Rite and York Rite, and became

Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge ofNew York. He would later receive the33 and the prestigious Gourgas Medalof the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction,and the equally prestigiousGrand Crossof the Southern Jurisdiction.

Peales next assignment came withhis 1927 appointment as pastor of theUniversity Methodist Church, next toSyracuse University It was here that

he met his wife, Ruth Stafford, who

graduated from Syracuse in 1928.She was the daughter of a minister,and was also a teacher. They couldnot have complemented each othermore ideally, and they were marriedin 1930. They were to have threechildren.

In 1932, Peale was invited topreach at Marble Collegiate Churchin New York City [which] necessi-tated changing his affiliation from theMethodist to the Reformed Church.In his new pastorate, Dr. Peale facedmany challenges and adopted manychanges. He saw no conflict betweentheological and secular activities. Heincluded a psychiatrist on the churchstaff, to assist him in ministering tothose seeking counselling, and whoseproblems he felt required more thanpurely religious solutions Pealealso instituted radio broadcasts of hisweekly sermons, which became verypopular. Dr. Peales tenure at MarbleCollegiate was to last for more than50 years, from 1932 to 1984, duringa period of great changes and unrest

in the world: the Great Depression, hotand cold wars, social change and civilunrest. It seemed that Dr. Peale was theright man at the right time to try andinfluence the countrys thinking intopositive directions.

No matter how bad the times, hispersonal philosophy was always upbeat,and he tried to spread this attitude asfar as possible. Peale was convincedthat everyone is capable of greater

Statue of RWBro Norman Vincent Peale outside

the Marble Collegiate Church, New York.

See RWBro Peale, page 2.

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Provided to Freemasons of Alberta and the NorthwestTerritories west of the 4thMeridian who are members of

The Grand Lodge of Alberta, A.F. & A.M.330 12 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 0H2

Tel 403-262-1140 Fax 403-290-0671www.freemasons.ab.ca

Grand Master MWBro J.R. Malcolm BerryDeputy Grand Master RWBro Robert A. DrurySenior Grand Warden RWBro John D. HartJunior Grand Warden RWBro Brian ShimmonsGrand Secretary RWBro Jerry W. Kopp

Published each month except July and August by

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

Editor: MWBro Robert E. Juthner14103 Buena Vista Road NW, Edmonton, AB T5R 5S2

Tel 780-483-5124 Fax 780-486-4512e-mail: praga@shaw.ca

The Committee on the Grand Lodge BulletinMWBro Robert E. Juthner (Chairman);

WBro Garth Cochran; WBro Loren Kline;Bro Trevor Morris; RWBro George Tapley

Ex Officio: Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master& Grand Secretary

Annual subscription rate for non-members of the GLAis C$10.00 plus mailing costs. Republication rights aregranted to other Masonic Jurisdictions, but acknow-ledgement of the source is requested. The Editor reservesthe right to accept, reject and re-write material submit tedfor publication. Deadline for copy is the 1stday of themonth, two months prior to the month of issue.

things, one of his favourite maxims be-ing you can if you think you can. Hewrote myriad books emphasizing thispositive attitude, culminating in the 1952publication of The Power of PositiveThinking, a book of such acclaim andinfluence that it was exceeded in popu-larity only by the Bible itself. To furtherspread this message, Peale and his wifestarted Guideposts magazine in 1945.

It remains to this day one of the mostpopular inspirational magazines

During his long life, Peale was aworld traveller and met many influen-tial personages. He similarly travelledand spoke all over this country (USA),including visits to the White House. In1984 he was awarded the PresidentialMedal of Freedom by President RonaldReagan.

In his own church, the rich andfamous flocked to attend his services.In 1968 he married David Eisenhower

and Julie Nixon shortly after PresidentNixons election. He also married Ken-

tucky Governor John Brown to PhyllisGeorge, Miss America of 1971, and laterbaptized their first child.

The driving force of Dr. Peales minis-try was that people could be better than

they were; that they had innate valueswhich only had to be nurtured and de-veloped for the betterment of their ownand others lives. He was a champion ofecumenism, firmly believing that eachreligion has a right to its own beliefs,and that all people are children of onealmighty God. He had frequent contactwith other clergymen, including FrancisCardinal Spellman and Bishop Fulton J.Sheen. Peale invited Bishop Sheen to

preach at Marble Collegiate Church, andparticipated in an ecumenical gatheringat St. Patricks Cathedral.

Dr. Peales active ministry endedin 1984, when he was 86 years old.However, he did not cease his preach-ing, travelling and involvement in thePeale Center and Guideposts, whichwas continued right up to his death onChristmas Eve of 1993 at age 95. He hadbeen a Mason for 67 years. He will longbe remembered for his success in help-ing people better themselves through

their own efforts, and thus enhancingthe lives of all around them.

Editorial

Positive Imaging!(Writing an editorial in the first person,rather than the third, is admittedly un-conventional this time an exceptionis made, for a purpose.)

Our lead article in this issue is de-voted to a great man, a great preacherand orator, and a great Mason, Norman

Vincent Peale. It pays tribute to hisaccomplishments and his devotion tomankind. I wish to add to this.

On 22 February 1988, Right Wor-shipful Brother Peale, Grand Chaplainemeritus of the Grand Lodge of theState of New York, delivered the keynoteaddress to his audience the GrandMasters, Deputy Grand Masters andGrand Secretaries of North America,and their ladies at their conferencein Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Following hispresentation, I was privileged to shake

his hand and to engage in a short con-versation with the Brother who, a few

short weeks later, was to celebrate hisninetieth birthday.

Of course I had some recollection ofhis masterly work, The Power of PositiveThinking, but nothing more, not of anyof his many other writings, let alonehis sermons. I only knew that what hecommunicated was serious, profoundand far-reaching. What I learned thatevening was that he had to be heard, not

just read, to fully appreciate the essenceof his presentation, which was not onlyscholarly but also witty. His sense ofhumour kept his audience educated aswell as amused, and laughter eruptedthirty-nine times during his delivery, notto mention repeated applause.

His address dealt with, essentially,dealing with problems. For example:

One thing you must never do is tosay to yourself: Im going to get oldsometime, and Im going to get feeble,and Im going to get senile, and Im go-

ing to have to use a cane and hobblealong. Dont ever see yourself

like that see yourself as vigorous,vital, youthful, not according to thecalendar, but youthful in your mind;

going strong ad infinitum.He called it Positive Imaging.Brother Peale concluded his address,

saying:Masonry, in which we all be-

lieve and to which we are deeply

devoted, will be no stronger than

we see it, so never see it nega-tively always see it positively

and it will go on from strength to

strength, even as we ourselves

achieve our goals through the

philosophical understanding of

the value of this phenomenon

we call a problem, and also ourability to positively see great re-

sults accruing to our faith and

enthusiasm.God bless you everyone!

May we all take this lesson to heart

and always see our Masonry in a posi-tive light.

RWBro Peale, from page 1.

Norman Vincent Peale, author of ThePower of Positive Thinking

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Education as the Key to ToleranceBy Leon Zeldis,Masonic Symbols and Signposts, pp. 163164.Reprinted inEmessay Notes, October 2006

Traditionally, throughout its long his-tory, symbolic and philosophical Free-masonry has taken a leading role in thepromotion of learning and education.From its early beginnings, in the 17thand18thcenturies in England and Scotland,

Masons were among the founders oflearned academies, such as the RoyalSociety. Numberless Masons have beenactive in education at every level fromgrammar school through university.

Freemasons have been leading educa-tors in Latin America and many othercountries. To give just one example, Do-mingo Faustino Sarmiento [18111888,

Ed.], who was a leading Argentineaneducational reformer and later Presi-dent of his country, was also an activeMason who became Sovereign GrandCommander of the Supreme Council of

the Scottish Rite in Argentina. All hiswritings and actions are infused with

Masonic philosophy.In Chile, Mexico and elsewhere,

Masonry has played a vital role in in-troducing non-sectarian, universal andfree education at the elementary andsecondary school levels. In Chile, numer-

ous individual Lodges have organizedand managed dozens of private schoolsthat provide high-quality free educationto the poor.

An interesting development in thepast century has been the appearanceof Masonic-supported universities,such as the Free University of Brussels,and the recently founded La RepublicaUniversity in Santiago, Chile, createdand run by Freemasons. Its name comesfrom Club de la Republica, as the GrandLodge of Chile headquarters are known.Other Masonic-sponsored universities

have been founded or are in the processof being established in various other

countries. In the United States, I canmention Girard College, founded by BroStephen Girard, and Hamilton College,founded by Bro Samuel Kirkland. Imsure there are others.

An educated man learns to appreciatethe wide range of opinions on any sub-ject. Freemasonry, in addition, allowsmen of many different professions and

backgrounds to meet together in a spiritof cooperation and understanding.This brings me to the issue of educa-

tion within the Lodge. All our wonderfulprinciples and ideals are worthless,unless they are actually inculcated inthe minds of each Mason. Why are ourfundamental principles designated aslandmarks?Because they are signposts,they point the way; they are not con-straining walls, not anchors, but com-passes. Freemasonry is not restrictedto what goes on within the Lodge room.It has become a way of life in order for

the Initiate to become a true and full-fledged Mason.

Herschel H. HobbsBy Gary Leazer, CIS Masonic Report, Feb, 2006InEmessay Notes, October 2006

Hobbs preached more than 700 ser-mons on the syndicated Baptist Hourbetween 1958 and 1978. He served onthe Peace Committee which attempted(unsuccessfully) to resolve the contro-versy that erupted between Southern

Baptist Convention (SBC) moderatesand fundamentalists in 1979. Eachquarter for 28 years, 90,000 SouthernBaptist Sunday School teachers usedhis 100 commentaries to prepare weeklyBible studies; he was the Baptist SundaySchool Boards most prolific writer.He wrote at least 147 books and Biblecommentaries. He served as trusteeof several SBC agencies and was SBCpresident from 1961 to 1963. He servedas pastor of several churches, includingFirst Baptist Church, Oklahoma City,from 1949 to 1972. Gene Harrison, his

successor at First Baptist Church, Okla-homa City, spoke of Hobbs as one of thegreat men of the Christian Faith.

Herschel Hobbs was a Mason ingood standing for 33 years [until hisdeath in 1995, Ed.*]. He was initiatedinto Siloam Lodge No. 276 in OklahomaCity in February 1961, passed to thedegree of Fellowcraft in May 1961 andraised a Master Mason on 02 January1962 at the age of 54, which was dur-ing his first term as president of the

Southern Baptist Convention. Hobbstook his Scottish Rite degrees in Janu-ary 1966, which was during the years he

preached on theBaptist Hour and whilehe pastored the First Baptist Church inOklahoma City.* Gary Leazer, PM, Past Grand Chaplain,GL of Georgia, provided the year of Hobbsdeath by e-mail, 20 November 2006, re-sponding to a question by this Editor.

Is This You?If it is, we have a number of questionsthat need answering.Do you remember the moment you

were received into the Masonic Order?You knelt at the altar of Freemasonryand promised that you would attendall functions unless sheer necessity hin-dered you. You progressed through thedegrees and were ultimately presentedwith your Master Masons apron. Whata proud moment it was for you.

You are now a member of one of themost highly respected fraternities in theworld. You progressed through the ju-

nior offices and were eventually installedas the Worshipful Master of your Lodge,another extremely proud moment foryou. You were always proud to see manysideliners, quite simply because theywere there supporting you.

During your time when serving inone or more of the junior offices, aswell as that of Worshipful Master, youwere able to adjust your activities soas not to conflict with your obligationsto your Lodge. After your tenure as

Worshipful Master did you suddenlydrift into oblivion?Another question is this: Do you not

think that you owe the same supportand respect to your successors thatthey have shown to you?

This is a serious matter and we wouldask you to carefully consider the abovequestions.

So often we hear that you are busyand we submit that everyone is busy.There are times when we must, throughnecessity, adjust and deviate from ourregular routine to support those whomade sacrifices during our term ofoffice.

Ask yourself these questions andagain we ask IS THIS YOU?

We trust that this message is receivedin the same fraternal spirit as it waswritten.

Sincerely and fraternally,MWBro J.R. Crawford, PGM

MWBro S. Harbin, PGMRWBro R. Forster, DDGM

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Jim Tresner a great storyteller..

Abe Lincolns AxeBy Jim Tresner*

The story is told of a historian, record-ing folk history in Illinois in the 1970s.Several people in the countryside hadtold him of a farm family which pos-sessed the axe Abraham Lincoln hadused when splitting logs for a livingas a young man. The historian finally

found the farm, and found the farmerin the yard splitting wood for the livingroom fireplace. He asked him aboutthe story.

Yes, said the farmer, its true.Abraham Lincoln lived around hereas a young man, and he worked for awhile splitting wood for my great-great-grandfather. Happened hed bought anew axe from a peddler the day beforeAbe Lincoln came to work here, and hegave it to Lincoln to use. Weve kept itever since.

Thats a real historical treasure,

said the historian. It really ought tobe in a museum. Would you mind goinginto the house and bringing it out so Icould see it?

Oh we know its important, saidthe farmer, I take it to the school; fromtime to time and tell the kids about itand Lincoln. Seems to sorta make it realfor them. But I dont have to go intothe house, Ive got it here. He handedthe horrified historian the axe he hadbeen using.

You mean youre still USING it?!

Sure thing. An axe is meant to beused.

The historian looked it over carefully.I must say your family has certainlytaken good care of it.

Sure, we know were protecting his-tory. Why, weve replaced the handletwice and the head once.

In many ways, Masonry is like AbeLincolns axe. All of us tend to assumethat Masonry has always been the wayit was when we joined. And we becomefiercely protective of it in that form. But,in fact, weve done more than replacethe handle twice and the head once.For example, the Eulogy to Mother wasadded to the stairway lecture in Okla-homa some time between 1924 and 1930.Almost no other state uses it.

When Oklahoma Territory and IndianTerritory merged to form the GrandLodge of Oklahoma, major changes inthe ritual (both esoteric and exoteric)were made for at least 6 years as thetwo rituals were combined.

When Brothers George Washington,

Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere (andthe other Masons of their era and fordecades to come) joined the Fraternity,they did not demonstrate proficiencyby memorizing categorical lectures.Instead, the same evening they receiveda degree they sat around the table withthe other Brethren of the Lodge. TheBrethren asked each other questionsand answered them for the instruction

of the new Brother. They asked himquestions, and helped him with the an-swers. The discussion continued untilthey were confident he understood thelessons of the Degree. They then taughthim the signs and tokens, and he wasproficient. In many cases, he took thenext Degree the next night.

The system of demonstrating profi-ciency by memorizing categorical lec-tures is less than about twice as old asthe average Mason in Oklahoma nottoo long a span in the 1,000 year history

of the Fraternity. The custom of allowing28 days to pass between Degrees cameabout for no other reason than the factthat most Lodges met every 28 days,on the nights of the full moon. Therewas no mystery behind that. Very fewhorses come equipped with headlights,and only on nights of the full moon couldpeople see well enough to leave theirhomes in the country and come to townfor a meeting safely.

The names of the three ruffians havechanged at least three times since theMaster Mason Degree was created

around 1727. More importantly, thenature and purpose of the Fraternityhas changed radically over time. It iscertainly no longer a protective tradeassociation, nor a political force amount-ing almost to a political party, but it hasbeen those over its long history.

So yes, Masonry changes. It changesfairly frequently and sometimes dramati-cally. Far from being a bastion of con-servative resistance to change, throughmost of its history it has been a majorchange agent fostering revolutions

in public life (the American Revolution,for example) and social life. It createdthe tax-supported public school system.It created homes for the elderly andorphanages, and then worked for thesort of social legislation to make thosewidespread. It sought economic devel-opment for states and communities.Until the late 1940s and 50s, it was oneof the most potent forces for change inAmerica.

And Masonry is like Abe Lincolns axe

in another way. For, although the handleand head had been replaced, that axewas still the one used by Abe Lincolnin truth if not in fact. The farmer used itto reach. He told children about it andabout Abe Lincoln. He helped make the

past real to them, so that they couldlearn the great values of honesty andhard work which Lincoln typified.

Its the same with Masonry. In spite ofthe many changes which have alreadyhappened and the changes which arebound to happen in the future for Ma-sonry, like any living thing, must changeand grow or die it is still the same. Itsessence the lessons it teaches, thedifference it makes in the lives of men,the great moment of transformationwhich is the goal of Masonry, when a

man becomes something new and betterthan he was when he came in the dooras a candidate that essence cannotand will not be lost, as long as Broth-ers meet in the true Masonic spirit, towork and learn and study and improvethemselves and the world. Thats Ma-sonry, and like Abe Lincolns axe, it wasmeant to be used, not to rust away in amuseum case. That use keeps it brightand sharp and Masonic, no matter howoften the handle and head need to bereplaced.

With a tip of the hat toDynamic Lodge No. 96

(Lodge Summons, November 2006)*Jim Tresner, of Guthrie, Oklahoma,is Director of the Masonic LeadershipInstitute; Editor ofThe Oklahoma Mason,Member of the Steering Committee,Masonic Information Center; and author,among other books, ofAlbert Pike: The

Man Beyond the Monumentand Vestedin Glory: The Regalia of the Scottish Rite.He was also the Keynote Speaker at the2001 Masonic Spring Workshop.

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Storytelling

DeMolayA DeMolay Degree and the story of our

future members

TBA

42ndMasonic Spring Workshop 20 to 22 April 2007Tentative Agenda

Friday, 20 April 2007

8:00 PM

Bookstore open 2 10 PMFriday, 8 AM Saturday

Closed during all sessions.Open during breaks.

Nelson King Keynote SpeakerStorytelling Who Are We & Where Did We Come From?

Followed by Open DiscussionThe DaVinci Codeshowing in the Sinclair Room Theatre (free popcorn)

Saturday, 21 April 2007

Sunday, 22 April 2007

9:00 AMto

10:15 AM

Techniques

Planning Masonic EventsFrom the Festive Board to Anniversaries

what you need to know

TBA

Storytelling

A Fable Agreed Upon

Stephen Dafoe

Coffee Break Convention Foyer

Coffee Break Convention Foyer

Video & DiscussionSession

Sandy SandfordSee Schedule at Theatre Entrance

Buffet Lunch in Branders (Back of Fireweed Grill)

Techniques

Time ManagementRevitalize your Lodge with the best use of

time

TBA

Storytelling

Legends of MasonryGordon Smith

Storytelling

The Story of Your LodgeRecording our story before its lost forever

George Tapley

Information/Education

Masonic EtiquetteWhat is it and why do we need it?

Rick Forester

Information/Education

Masonic Leadership &Personal Growth

Mitch Cammidge

Video & Discussion

SessionSandy Sandford

See Schedule at Theatre Entrance

Location

For Lodge Officers

Sinclair Room Bronze Silver Gold

General Interest Storytelling

Storytelling Wrap-up

StorytellingWhere Do We Go from Here!

Nelson King, Keynote Speaker & Stuart LeVoguer, Chairman 2007

Cash Bar & Banquet

Interfaith Devotional Service Rev. Earle Sharam Music Jamie Beckstead Gold RoomFollowed by a Buffet Breakfast in the Silver and Bronze Rooms

8:30 AM

6:00 PM

3:15 PMto

4:30 PM

1:30 PMto

2:45 PM

10:45 AMto

Noon

Bookstore Closedfor Weekend

at 5 PM

Video & DiscussionSession

Sandy SandfordSee Schedule at Theatre Entrance

Raffle & Silent AuctionClosed at

3:15 PM Sharp

Theatre

TBA

TBATBA

TBA

Storytelling the 2007 Masonic Spring WorkshopThis years Masonic Spring Workshop

is on the theme Storytelling Who AreWe and Where Did We Come From. Ourchief storyteller will be Nelson King,current editor of The Philalethes, themagazine of the 79 year-old Philale-thes Society that has been publishingMasonrys story since 1946. The Society

has always been international in scope.Included among the original 40 Fellowswere Harold V. B. Voorhis, RudyardKipling, Robert I. Clegg, and Harry L.Haywood, to name but a few. Nelson, aCanadian who hails from Toronto, is awell-known Masonic writer and speaker.He is the first Canadian, and only thesecond Brother, to be both Presidentand Editor at the same time. Here is abrief sample of his thinking.

The Enemy WithinAs Masons we seem to have compro-

mised ourselves.We heard in last little while, that some

of us believe there are different classes

of felons, and just because so and so hasbeen convicted of Drunk Driving thereis no reason why he should be expelledfrom his Lodge, or if not a member whyhe should not be allowed membershipin the Craft. But where do you draw theline? If Drunk Driving is OK, then dowe allow Drunk Driving causing bodily

harm? If we allow Drunk Driving causingbodily harm, do we allow Drunk Drivingcausing death or vehicular homicide?Where do we draw the line?

Is it OK to steal from your employer?Of course not. But thousands find noproblem in taking home office suppliesfor our personal use or using our employ-ers equipment for our own use. Wheredo you draw the line?

We run yellow lights, hoping we wontget caught [big problem in Toronto], wespeed along the highways well abovethe speed limit, at the same time hav-ing a Masonic Symbol proudly stuck onthe back of the car. Where do we drawthe line?

Am I saying that I am perfect?Far from it, but, I guess I am just an old

fuddy duddy who believes in right andwrong. And when something is wrong Iwill try to bring it to everyones atten-tion. I know that this is not popular withsome. But I also know that the majorityof us believe in right and wrong.

Nelson is only one of the storytellersat this years workshop. Check out thetentative agenda for sessions of interest.Check online for the latest update.

This years workshop takes place atthe Delta Lodge at Kananaskis on 20 to 22April 2007. Cost is $325 double or triple,$440 single or with spouse (spousesmeals extra) and $150 for Day Use in-cluding Saturday Lunch and Banquet.Check JanuarysAlberta Freemasonfora registration form, or register on lineat www.masonicspringworkshop.ab.cawhere you can also get the latest infor-mation concerning the best Masonicevent of the year.

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The first in a proposed series of bien-nial International Conferences on theHistory of Freemasonry (ICHF) will takeplace at Freemasons Hall, Edinburgh on25 May through 27 May 2007. The Confer-ence is being held under the Patronageof the Most Worshipful Grand Masters ofEngland, Ireland and Scotland and with

the support of Masonic research centresat the University of Sheffield, Universitde Bordeaux III, Universit Paris IV, andthe Free University of Brussels. It hasattracted as its plenary speakers histo-rians from around the world. More than70 papers will also be presented in 24sessions, including topics as diverse as

the history of Freemasonry in variousregions of the world and the connec-tions between Freemasonry and leisure,architecture, fraternalism, secularism,and foreign policy.

The Conference brochure andregistration forms are available atwww.ichfonline.org

International Conference on the History of Freemasonry

One Young Masons Journey So Far

Book Review

The Complete Idiots Guide to FreemasonryS. Brent Morris, PhD, Alpha Books, 2006, 334 pages, ISBN 1-59257-490-4

The two competing series of books,For Dummies and The CompleteIdiots Guide have recently discoveredFreemasonry. In 2005, For Dummiesproduced its book on Freemasons byChristopher Hodapp, 32. While theIdiots Guide series is a year laterthan Hodapps book, it has enlisted a

When I joined the Craft, one thing Ifound alluring was the concept of takinga good man and making him better. Itsounded like a good thing, even if I wasn'ttoo sure what it meant exactly.

Well, Ive found it can mean differ-ent things to different Brothers, butone thing it meant for me was not onlytaking care of my duties at home and atwork, but also taking responsibility forhelping others who might not have theabundance of good fortune that I havebeen blessed with. Whether that mightbe through helping out with somethinglike the Masonic Foundation or theUnited Way at work, I found being ableto do something for others made me feellike a better man, and a better Mason.

It was with that thought in mind thatI recently took on my biggest challenge,setting a goal of raising money for theLeukemia and Lymphoma Society ofCanada through an organization called

Team in Trainingwhile training for ahalf marathon. Team in Traininghelpspeople prepare for long distance runningevents (marathons and half marathons)and gets people to commit to raisingmoney to sponsor their run. With thehelp of many, including a few of myBrethren at Glenbow Lodge, I raised over$4,800 and was very excited to be partof an organization that North Americawide raised $16 million (for just one

marathon!) to be used towards researchof the blood cancers and support groupsfor those afflicted with it.

I don't think being a Mason mademe do this, but I do think it inspiredthe reflection that led me to taking iton. The day I ran the half marathon,I crossed that finish line feeling like aman made better.

Bro John VieiraBro Vieira is the current Jr. Deacon at

Glenbow Lodge No. 184 in Calgary.

well-known Masonic author. Dr. S. BrentMorris 33 has written several bookson the Ancient and Accepted ScottishRite and has been instrumental in theScottish Rite Research Society of theSouthern Jurisdiction of the ScottishRite. Dr. Morris is co-editor of Here-dom, the proceedings of the Scottish

Rite Research Society. While not takinganything away from Hodapps book, Dr.Morris appears to be an experiencedMasonic researcher.

As one would expect, the IdiotsGuide to Freemasonry contains verysimilar material to that presented in theDummies book, since, after all, bothbooks discuss Freemasonry and its con-cordant bodies. Much of the differencesbetween them are found in the mannerin which each series presents the mate-rial. Morris book presents most of thematerial in a concise, clearly written

text. In addition, boxes headed with ablack bar present explanatory informa-tion beyond that presented in the text.Definitions of Masonic terms are alsopresented in sidebars. The text is wellillustrated with diagrams and pictures.Each chapter ends with a summary. Allreferences are listed at the end of thebook. The index is complete and easyto use. The discussion of Freemasonryand its Concordant Bodies is completeand very interesting.

While both of these books presentsimilar material, present a prospectiveor new member with valuable informa-tion, present an outline of what can bediscussed or disclosed to non-members,and present the material in an easyto understand manner, your reporterprefers Dr. Morris book. His years ofexperience as a Masonic author comethrough in the presentation of the ma-terial. However, having both books inyour personal library also has a lot ofadvantages.

Loren W. Kline

Grand Masters ItineraryFebruary10 Bow River No. 1, Installation

of Officers; Freemasons Hall,Calgary; 13 00 h; and Ladies Night;Freemasons Hall; 18 00 h

1621 Grand Masters of North America,Portland, Oregon

24 Especial Communication of GrandLodge; Freemasons Hall, Calgary;Re-confirming the Consecration ofAshlar Lodge No. 28

NominationsEach year at this time, Brethren resi-dent throughout the jurisdiction havethe opportunity to nominate someonefor several Grand Lodge Offices. Openfor nomination are: Deputy Grand Master* Senior Grand Warden* Junior Grand Warden* Grand Treasurer Board of Benevolence (3 to be elected

for a 2-year term, R1.7.3) Masonic Higher Education Bursary

Committee (2 to be elected for a 3-year term, R1.7.7.3)

*A Motion passed at the 2005 Com-munication requires non-incumbentnominees for this office to prepare andhave published an un-edited article ofmore than 500 words outlining their vi-sion for Freemasonry in Alberta.

Nominations must be signed by thenominee and be in the hands of theGrand Secretary no later than Noonon the last working day of February,2007.