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Masonic Reviews / Masonic Movies / Plot summary for National Treasure
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on: April 22, 2007, 05:56:54 AM
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Started by brother_robinson | Last post by brother_robinson
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Check out the plot summary below. What do Masons think of the movie?
Plot summary for
National Treasure (2004)
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Benjamin Franklin Gates descends from a family of treasure-seekers who've all hunted for the same thing: a war chest hidden by the Founding Fathers after the Revolutionary War. Ben's close to discovering its whereabouts, as is his competition, but the FBI is also hip to the hunt. Written by IMDb Editors
Ben Gates comes from a family of treasure hunters. Now his grandfather believes that the forefathers' buried a treasure somewhere in the country and have placed clues everywhere but unfortunately the clues are highly cryptic and scaterred all over the place. Now Ben thinks he has found it but it only leads him to another clue which is on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Now one of his associates Ian wants to steal it so that they could get the clue but Ben refuses to do it so he tries to kill Ben. But Ben evades him and tries to warn the authorities about Ian's plans but they don't believe him. So Ben takes it upon himself to steal it in order to protect it. And he does but Abigail Chase the curator of the National Archives, where it is kept, discovers what he has done and tries to stop him but gets caught in the crossfire between Ben and Ian, so Ben takes her with him. While she doesdn't believe him, he is determined to prove he is right about the treasure. But it won't be easy cause Ian's always a step behind him and he is being hunted by the FBI. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com
Since childhood, Benjamin Franklin Gates has known that he is decended from a long line of people whose job is to guard a treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers, who hid clues to its whereabouts in the country's currency and on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Now, he has learned of a plot to steal the Declaration, and has only one option: steal it himself. Even if he pulls off this monumental task, keeping the treasure safe is still going to be incredibly hard, especially since the FBI has also gotten wind of the scheme. Written by rmlohner
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Masonic Reviews / Masonic Books / The Freemasons in America - Book Review
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on: March 08, 2007, 05:51:21 PM
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Started by brother_robinson | Last post by brother_robinson
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Anyone else read this book? 
Expanding on backlist bestseller Freemasons, H. Paul Jeffers, Freemason scholar, explores Freemasonry and its hand in the conception, founding and development of America and the American political system. Spanning from Colonial times to the present, Freemasons in America picks up where Freemasons left off—covering many of the shared principles and ideals including religious and personal liberty, social and civic responsibility, and faith in and reliance on a Supreme Being.
In addition to exploring the individuals who made Freemasonry a cornerstone of America’s foundation, the book also examines the lives and careers of Masons throughout American history including U.S. presidents, politicians, businessmen, entertainers, and social and cultural leaders, presenting an objective portrait of the unique American version of the controversial, mystifying, and frequently feared
fraternal organization.
• Jeffers’s Freemasons: Inside the World’s Oldest Secret Society has more than
30,000 copies in print, was an alternate selection of QPB; and rights were sold in
Spain, Korea, and Greece.
• Jeffers has been a popular guest on MSNBC’s Bookspan appearing three times for
his previous books.
• This is the only book available that details the relationship between Freemasonry
and the American presidents.
• Jeffers’s website will include photos, documents, Masonic images and symbols.
• Will appeal to Dan Brown fans with a bonus chapter covering Freemasons and the
Popes for fans of Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code.
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4
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General Masonic Discussion / General Masonic Discussion (Blue Lodge) / Keeping Membership Up...
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on: February 28, 2007, 05:36:37 AM
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Started by Acacia | Last post by Acacia
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I've got dual memberships in two lodges near where I live. One is a relatively big lodge, with new candidates coming in almost monthly, one is small, and have to utilize visitors (we usually have about 15 or so) to help fill the chairs...
The small lodge just put two candidates through and for the first time in years actually put on the Master's degree... They worked very hard to make sure their degree work was excellent... the Lodge went out of it's way to make it memorial for the two men... they had plaque's presented to them with photo's of the lodge officers, they had momento's presented to them in keepsake boxes, etc. I was very proud to be part of the whole process.
My other lodge somehow keeps a steady flow coming through, and rarely do we see them coming back. We've lost two or three EA's in the past months who after their initiation decided to never come back.... yet the candidates keep coming. When we DO put someone through, it's not as solemn as I'd prefer. A lot of the lecture work is read rather than memorized. In fact, I was asked to 'read' a lecture for some EA's, and felt guilty, so by the time we put on the Fellowcraft, I had the G lecture memorized. There's also a 'clique' of influential members who make sure that their own sit in the chairs... which I think if 90% of the problem.
I've thought about demitting from the big lodge, but I'm also hoping that I can quitely make a difference with the controlling members...
I love degree work, lecture work, and lodge history... It's my passion. But being a member of the lodge that I like more would put me in a situation where I'd rarely get to see/participate in the work.
Any suggestions?
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Masonic Reviews / Masonic Books / Brother Robinson...
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on: February 27, 2007, 11:08:52 AM
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Started by Acacia | Last post by Acacia
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Since Brother Robinson had a link here from the Templar History site, maybe we could start this forum with talk about Brother John J. Robinson's works...
Anyone read "A Pilgrims Path" or "Born in Blood"...
Acacia... er... Bartolo de Bay....
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Other Discussions / Origins of Masonry and Masonic Symbolism / Use of Symbols
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on: December 24, 2006, 06:33:47 PM
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Started by blendon339 | Last post by blendon339
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At one time, when very few were literate, the use of symbolism was widespread. It was a form of 'visual shorthand' which suggested abstract concepts as well particular stories. Symbols were easily recognised, and understood, but literacy increased the need for symbolism declined. In centuries past, symbols, especially religious symbols, were common throughout Christendom. It did not matter where one lived, one would recognise most, if not all, of the symbols although there were, of course, local variations. When a series of symbols were associated a whole string of ideas could be conveyed. At the simplest level symbols could be used to relate a story, a parable, an event by grouping, in sequence, a number of symbols. At the most complex level a Cathedral (itself a Christian symbol) contains thousands of individual symbols which, in combination, present a vast range of parables, theological concepts and even debates. In this more secular world the use of, and the understanding of, symbolism has been and continues to be reduced.
This has had the effect of allowing every individual to place their own particular interpretation and meaning on symbols which at one time had only one or two accepted interpretations. This is a particular problem with places such as Rosslyn Chapel where everyone, and his or her dog, can suggest the meaning, purpose and importance of its symbolism whereas at one time such a huge diversity of interpretations would simply not have applied.
For More: http://www.rosslyntemplars.org.uk/symbolism.htm
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Appendant Organizations / York Rite Masonry / York Rite Degrees
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on: December 24, 2006, 06:25:23 PM
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Started by blendon339 | Last post by blendon339
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The York Rite of Freemasonry is a journey that can take a Master Mason through three successive Masonic bodies, a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, a Council of Royal & Select Masons, and finally a Commandery of Masonic Knights Templar.
Membership in a Chapter and Council is open by application to all Master Masons in good standing. Commandery is a branch of the fraternity whose membership is open to Masons who are Christians.
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Appendant Organizations / Scottish Rite Masonry / What is the Scottish Rite?
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on: December 24, 2006, 06:20:49 PM
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Started by blendon339 | Last post by blendon339
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The Scottish Rite is a Masonic organization that continues a Master Mason’s education of the first three degrees. Other examples of Masonic affiliated organizations are: The Shrine (Shriners); York Rite; Grotto; Eastern Star, DeMolay International, Job’s Daughter’s, International Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. The Scottish Rite consists of the 4th through 32nd Degree and an honorary 33rd, which is awarded for exceptional service.
For more information: http://www.scottishrite.org/ee.php?
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General Masonic Discussion / General Masonic Discussion (Blue Lodge) / What do all the symbols mean?
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on: December 24, 2006, 06:19:31 PM
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Started by blendon339 | Last post by blendon339
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There are simply too many symbols used in Masonry to explain them all, but probably the most common symbol people see is the square and compasses. The square reminds Masons to “square” their actions by the “square of virtue,” and the compasses remind them to “circumscribe” their passions. In other words, Masons are reminded to keep their actions virtuous and their passions in control. Additionally, in the U.S. there is usually a “G” in the middle of the square and compass symbol. This letter stands for “geometry” and “God” and reminds Masons that geometry was central to the stone mason’s life as God should be to his.
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