Best City Lodge #777 of Best City, Mississippi, is pleased to place into nomination for the high office of Junior Grand Warden our beloved Brother, Rama Lama Dingdong. 

Rama Lama is an actual past master, virtual past master, yellow dog, 32.9 degree Scottish Rite Mason, Past Grand Commander, Past Grand High Priest, Past Illustrious Grand Master, Past Potentate, and 7 year reigning chili dog eating champ. He holds a dual membership in 20 Lodges, and he is the husband to the luckiest woman in the world.  And, just so you know we’re serious, attached you’ll find 6 front and back pages of signatures you can’t read. Note Bud only had 3 pages of signatures. 

What characteristics and experiences make a man a great candidate for Grand Line? We all have our own preferences, and we probably all disagree.  However, I think we can all agree that accolades alone tell us very little about the candidates and the metrics we each individually value.  While the fictitious candidate above is meant tongue-in-cheek, the exaggerated illustration shows how little the information we usually receive tells us about a person. 

In researching this topic, I found the Grand Lodge of New York’s website hosts the curriculum vitas/resumes of the candidates.  One candidate is noted to be a “Father of three, grand-father of four, and that’s enough now, thank you.”  It goes on to state that he is a contract management specialist and has published six novels, and he is the indentured servant of two cats.  https://nymasons.org/site/2020-candidates/

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts also similarly lists candidate information on its Grand Lodge Website, although it is a little less substantive.  But, in 20 seconds, I learned that their candidate for Senior Grand Warden retired from General Dynamics in 2018 after a 34 year career and his most recent position was Senior Director of Engineering for the Security and Cyber Solutions Division.  That’s more than I know
about Mr. Dingdong.

We all want a candidate that best represents the principles we value most and the man we believe would be best for masonry.  I think with a little more consideration and effort, “Lodges” could present candidates to the craft in a way that provides more meaningful information.  Until then, reach out and engage the candidates, find out about them and share what you know!

R. Lane Dossett, PM
GL Law & Jurisprudence Committee

One of the simplest, but probably least-explored symbols of Freemasonry is that of the circumpunct, or as we refer to it in Mississippi’s ritual, “a certain point within a circle, embordered by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist; and upon the top rests the Holy Scriptures.  The point represents an individual brother; the circle is the boundary line beyond which he is never to suffer his passions or prejudices to betray him.  In going around this circle we necessarily touch these two lines, as well as the Holy Scriptures; and while a Mason keeps himself circumscribed within their precepts, it is impossible that he should materially err.”

A particular Brother and I constantly remind each other that there are days we need to trace out “little circles” to keep our passions within due bounds, usually when we find ourselves angry for whatever reason.  

As Masons, we know that true circles are traced out by the Compasses.  Masonry’s most recognizable symbol is that of the Square AND the Compasses together.  So then, how might this lesser-known circumpunct help us square our actions?  Let’s look at a little geometry.

Referring to Figure 1 in the above illustration, if we choose a point anywhere on the circle, then connect that point to any two other points from a line denoting the diameter of the circle, the angle formed at the chosen point will always be 90 degrees – a perfect square.  Masonically speaking, if our passions and prejudices do not exceed the bounds of the circle, our actions will necessarily always be “on the Square”.

What if our passions and prejudices do go beyond our intended bounds?  Referring to Figure 2, consider a tangent that lies just outside of the circle, but crosses the parallel lines can still prove a square.  A line drawn from the center to that tangent line will intersect at 90 degrees.  We may then deduce that if our passions exceed our circumscription, we may lean to our Brethren on the left and the right and their rectitude of conduct to keep us “on the Square”.

But what of the negative space?  That area contained within the circle; what exists there?  Our work describes the circle as that boundary which we should never permit our passions to betray us.  Passions may be anger, but they may also include things which bring us pleasure – even Masonry itself.  

If we never exceed our due bounds, are we truly acting “on the Square”?  Drawing your attention to Figure 3, I submit that in staying in the “safe space” inside the circle, we may find that our actions are not truly squared.  Picking any point inside the circle, then extending lines to points crossing the diameter, we find that we are incapable of creating a figure that equals 90 degrees – we are unable to prove a square.  

If we play it safe and don’t speak up for the weak and downtrodden, or if we fail to take action when doing the right thing is needed, we’re staying inside the circle and therefore not “on the Square”.

Mississippi’s ritual states that we have a duty to relieve the distressed, to soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries and to restore peace to their troubled minds.  If we choose to look the other way, if we choose not to get involved when others do the same, if we do not push our passions to their edge, are we truly practicing “on the Square”?  Simple geometry suggests we may not.  Walk on that circle, then your actions will always be on the Square.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Jim Whitfield
Indianola Lodge No. 450

The Masonic Services Association of North America has issued a Disaster Relief Appeal for both Iowa and Louisiana. Please see the PDF linked below for details. The MSANA requests for any donations to be sent directly to them. As per their instructions, please be sure to note which Disaster Relief your donation is for.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Jared Stanley, Grand Secretary

I look back at Grand Lodge and think about first hearing how close Corona was to us in Jackson. I didn’t have respect for it yet . We went back to work and after a couple of weeks we got shut down for 5 or 6 weeks. I still was not concerned about it .

July 6 came.   I was feeling bad.  I went and got  tested and I was positive. I was lucky, though.  I got to go home but I got put in a room by myself. No more seeing my wife, my family, and my brothers. 

The first week I couldn’t breathe good.  I couldn’t eat. At times it was all I could do to get out of my bed and walk 15 feet to my bathroom and back without feeling like I was not going to catch my breath.   I would be so tired from just that walk that I would go to sleep for couple hours.  

I am 40 years old I’m not a spring chicken but by no means am I old.   I could still get out and work in a garden and my job and love it.

Then this hit me and I couldn’t do anything for myself. This is my second week. I’m starting to feel better, just tired all the time.  I’m still in my room.  Still no family.   I learned to respect this virus in this two weeks.

I want to explain what it does to your family.  

My wife had to go buy a air mattress so she would have somewhere to sleep.  She had to sanitize all her stuff to move in the other bathroom.  She, for two weeks, has to share a bathroom with two young men, our 17 year old and 21 yr old . My 17 year old is getting ready for his senior year of football and has to sit home from practice for two weeks.  Thay can’t go anywhere. This virus affects the person with it but it affects a lot more people, too.

In closing I want to say if I could go back in time talk to myself,I would go back to Grand Lodge and tell myself to respect this virus.  It is not a joke.  It is very real.  I hear folks talk about masks, how people that wear them are sheep.   I thought the same before.  Now, if I can keep anyone from getting it by wearing my mask, I’m happy.  I did my job as a Mason and a friend.

Respectfully
BJ Barfield Jr P.M.

Brethren,

I trust that you enjoyed a safe and healthy Independence Day.  Even in times of tribulation in our nation’s history, we can still see evidence that our Great Experiment in democracy is alive.  We may not agree with the violent and destructive path that some protests have taken, but our freedoms and liberties allow for those voices to be heard.  Other despotic rulers would have likely crushed similar protests with ruthless efficiency.  

Although we may not meet as a body during this time of pandemic, let us take time to practice Masonry outside of the Lodge.  Call on the members of the Lodge, both active and inactive.  If there are any needs that can be met, make the Lodge officers aware of them.

We can also practice Masonry in our daily activities, should we be out in public.  Our nation is in turmoil, but as individuals we can spread light.  Dr. Martin Luther King said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”  Remember from whence we as Masons derive Light, that Great Light – that rule & guide of our faith – and spread light to those you encounter.  A smile, a door held open, a pleasant greeting or “thank you” to our fellow man will help illuminate their path as well as our own.

Paraphrasing a story I read recently:  A father was babysitting his son, but the father had work to be done while the son wished to play.  Seeking to placate the son for a period, the father found in a magazine a world map.  He took that map, cut it into many pieces and told the son to put it back together, and when it was complete they could play.  It did not take the son long to complete the task, to the father’s surprise, knowing the son did not yet know how the continents were arranged.  The father asked how he’d done it.  The son replied that it was simple: on the back of the map photo was a photo of a man.  The son put the man together right, and then the world was right.  

Masonry in action is putting the man together right.  We may not be able to put the whole world together correctly, but by influencing one man at a time, we can change it.

Jim Whitfield, Worshipful Master
Indianola Lodge #450

As Masons, we talk a lot about “light”.  To us, “light” takes on many meanings.  We know that in Nature, light permits us to see and appreciate the works of the Great Architect, and light catalyzes photosynthesis, necessary for plants to adorn the world with their beauty, and to produce foods for our sustenance.  We can harness light and focus it to illuminate our pathways when traveling through darkness.  Light emanates as a byproduct of chemical reactions, whether it be from the biochemical processes employed by the firefly, or from violent but awe inspiring nuclear processes found in humankind’s most fearsome weapons.  In addition to this physical illumination, ‘light” can mean that philosophical illumination discovered when a man is brought to light in Masonry.  We are given the tools and understanding to first make ourselves better men through the instruction found in our Great Light; then are instructed to share that light to those we encounter, through works of Brotherly Love, Relief, Truth, and Charity.  

As we look to the Summer Solstice, the time when the sun is at its annual meridian height, consider that we are then receiving the peak of daily light and energy from it.  In a troubled time as we find ourselves, may we be reflections of philosophic and philanthropic light.  Reach out to all mankind, as we are taught, and extend a hand of Relief, show Brotherly Love, and spread Truth as freely and abundantly as the Sun shines its light upon us.

Jim Whitfield, Worshipful Master
Indianola Lodge #450

Brethren, at the request of the Worshipful Master and Brethren of the host Lodge, George D. Riley No. 605, the Congressional School that was scheduled for June 20^th has been cancelled. The next still-scheduled Congressional School is at Aberdeen No. 32 on July 25^th.

Greetings Brethren,

Since March 15th I have recommended that our Lodges stay within the Guidelines set by our Governor. I appreciate our members honoring this recommendation.

Our Governor has issued new guidelines starting June 1st. The Lodges that feel safe can meet, and the ones that do not feel safe will not be required to meet.

Some Lodges are wanting to start Conferring Degrees. I sincerely hope that we can proceed with caution as this virus is not over with. I would ask all Officers, the Candidate, and anyone working in a degree to wear a mask and gloves when they cannot practice social distancing.

However, this is only a recommendation not a requirement.

For the Lodges that do not feel safe to meet yet, there will be a blanket dispensation issued for the Month of June. Look for this dispensation to be available on Grand View, as well as emailed to Lodge Officers.

Click here to download a copy of the dispensation.

Fraternally,

J. Harold Norton, Grand Master
The Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. & A. M.

We are admonished in our several Masonic teachings to follow the precepts of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Again, in theory, these appear to be easy enough to accomplish, however, actual practice requires some thought and practical application of these simple truths. As background, let us use the current COVID-19 pandemic to view how we practice these tenets of our unique belief system or put some feet on this theory.

Our current situation in Mississippi is that we have thousands of Mississippians infected with the COVID-19 virus and hundreds more have been sickened by its effects. More importantly, over two hundred have died. A quick review of the statistics can be located here, MSDH https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420.html and CDC https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf .

The data on these sites will reveal that most people are likely to survive the illness. From this data to be reviewed one observation that can be made is that MOST cases are very mild. In fact, if you are young and healthy, you are most likely to be okay, with or without any restrictions. However, we must be reminded that the primary purpose we have had the “Shelter in Place” orders is to “flatten the curve” for the purpose of protecting our health system from being overloaded and not to stop the virus which remains very deadly for the most vulnerable of our general population-people who are aged and infirm, people with pre-existing conditions, people with cancer, people recovering from surgery, indeed our elders from whom we have inherited this remarkably great State and Nation-Indeed, the greatest Fraternity known to mankind. I would ask you to think of your Lodge, think of the Brethren that make up the most active members– your closest friends and family while you view the referenced data on the MSDH and CDC websites.

Now ask yourself what is the age category of most of our members? One thing we can do is simply look around and what do you see? One data set reported in Grandview reveals that the age of our average member is sixty-eight. While this is not a pure science data reporting feature, it does represent an opportunity to pause for reflection on what is the potential impact on our membership?

Now to continue a few thoughts on our Masonic teachings as introduced above: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

Brotherly Love. A review of the basis of our Masonic tenets and the need for Brotherly Love is not the intent of this discourse. The intent is to simply state that there is ample evidence of the need for us to address it in our daily decisions. One could infer that to some measure we are our Brother’s keeper. Examples are replete throughout the rule and guide of our Faith-the Holy Bible. Citations would include passages with familiar words to include, “…What greater love…” In another verse, Jesus said to, “…love thy neighbor as thyself…” These all appear to imply in some measure that there is some duty to protect or assist them, to perhaps help them however you can. It seems that we should remember somewhere along life’s journey (and most certainly our Masonic journey) being taught that we are to view life through the lens of increasing the likelihood of our Brother’s survival moreover that that of ourselves. Simply stated, to think more of others welfare than that of ourselves, particularly if we can do so without material injury to ourselves or families.

Relief. The word itself suggests that we attempt to ameliorate suffering as best we can. In the words of Albert Mackey, “To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Freemasons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.”

Truth. Our Masonic obligations and the great Truths contained in our book of Very Sacred Law-the Holy Bible makes clear the responsibilities we owe to ourselves, our families, our State, our Country and our God. And yet it appears that everyone has a differing opinion on how to best address simple practices recommended by our Governor, State Health Officer and our own Grand Master. What could be simpler than hand washing, the wearing of community masks and social distancing or not gathering in groups larger than ten? Or only essential travel. One truth we do not need to overlook in our present situation is that  we simply do not need to put our most vulnerable populations at risk until we can develop a plan of action that protects them as best we can–we need to maintain our watchful and careful stance utilizing social distancing for the short term.

Rights and benefits. The “rights” that some in the general society are very loudly being demanded, but it appears that some value THEIR rights more than the rights of others. While there is no doubt an economic interest in play by getting our economy back on track. Is that to be the new math in determining risk for our most vulnerable populations? I am unfamiliar with that part of the lectures where it was emphasized as it being about the rights of an individual. It is much easier for me to accept the fact that the benefits being spoken of are one being granted from the group and being provided to each of the individuals as a right. But what it does not represent is that one receives a right without some a need for personal responsibility for certain actions. The same Altar where the rights are collected is the same Altar where the obligations are solemnly taken. I recollect that in order to receive the rights and benefits there was an explanation provided about there being an accompanying obligation to the group at large.

We are to be peaceable citizens and to make sure that none bring reproach upon ourselves or our Fraternity. What message to the public or received by them if were to continue as though there were no danger for anyone else by our continuing to meet at the local Lodge hall?

Just a thought, we use this time to use some silence and circumspection to re-visit our obligations and at what price we are willing to provide another with a benefit. The benefit of brotherly love, relief and truth with less risk associated with it? There are hundreds of books available online to read, dozens of Masonic themed podcasts to listen to. Thousands of Masonic based web blogs to read and comment on. Over the coming days I will make sure to provide a link to the MS Lodge of Research for a few examples for those with internet access to explore and enjoy. Let us say you do not have internet? Call and ask your Secretary for a list of the members of your Lodge and reach out to have a conversation with them on the phone, many of whom we have not seen or spoken with for some time. Let us use our time wisely to focus on the things we CAN do as opposed to doing the few things we need to limit at this time.

In closing, I offer this simple thought and suggestion, please let us not make our Brothers run the gauntlet of fear and risk their physical health to collect on their benefits of having a safe Masonic experience by hurrying up the process. Remember, the average age of our Brethren in Mississippi is the late 60s from the report I reviewed. As such, let us be cautious in jumping on the bandwagon to get “back to normal.” A new form of “normal” that life from henceforth, unless a vaccine or cure is found will include that COVID-19 will be just as deadly to our senior members of the Craft for the foreseeable future. We owe it to them and indeed ourselves, to take a measured, reasonable and rational look at the circumstances and outcomes: decisions and possible outcomes that will surely follow us throughout Eternity.

Fiat Lux

Sincerely and respectfully submitted,
Terry McLeod, WM
Mississippi Lodge of Research DCXL