Early 1900's Masonic Poster






"A MASONIC THOUGHT” VOL V, #11 (17 JUL 09)

    “Masonry should make, and must make, each man who conscientiously takes its obligations, a fine type of American citizen, because Masonry teaches him his obligation to his fellows in a practical fashion.”

AUTHOR:  Theodore Roosevelt
*By clicking on these links you will be redirected  away from this website.  We can not vouch for active links or content once redirected.
At least eight distinct streams of Masonic thought have emerged since 1717 (and possibly more), each "school" of thought on the nature of Freemasonry having its own particular advocates. Here is an adaptationof H. L. Haywood's summary of Masonic Schools of thought, The Great
Teaching of Masonry, pages 155-163:

1) The "Scientific" School, whose chief advocate, William Preston, formulated much of the modern ritual of the Craft, and whose chief objective was the employment of Masonry towards the study of the arts
and sciences.

2) The "Rational" School, whose chief advocate, Karl Friedrich Krause, believed that Masonry should work with both the Church and Government towards the perfection of the human condition through the promotion ofa life governed by Reason.

3) The "Christian" School, whose chief advocate, the Reverend George Oliver, believed that Freemasonry should exist to reconcile Christianity and Philosophy, and who strongly rejected excess intellectualism and attached high value to intuition, faith and tradition.

4) The "Philosophical" School, whose chief advocate, Albert Pike, saw Freemasonry as an exercise in comparative religion and philosophy in the pursuit of wisdom and enlightenment, by means of the study of
Masonic symbolism and the conduct of Masonic ritual.

5) The "Historical" School, whose chief advocate, Robert Freke Gould, saw Freemasonry as a school of wisdom that only reveals itself to Masons who expend the time and effort to study the history of the
Craft and its symbols.

6) The "Esoteric" School, whose chief advocate, Arthur Edward Waite, viewed Freemasonry as a form of mystical teaching, whose objectives are Enlightenment and the perfection of the self through the study of arcane knowledge and the practice of occult rites.

7) The "Romantic" School, with whom no one individual is associated as a chief advocate, but whose name seems a condescending label ascribed
by the "Authentic" School (see below) to those Masons who believe in the Templar origins of Freemasonry, or other historically dubious facts about the Craft.

8) The "Authentic" School, with whom no one individual is associated as a chief advocate, but which seems to primarily view Freemasonry as an exercise in scholarship and philanthropy, and has been specifically dismissive of the "Romantic" and "Esoteric" Schools of Masonic philosophy.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt, "Man in the Arena" Speech given April 23, 1910.


Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was born October 27, 1858 and passed away January 6, 1919. He was the 26th President of the United States (1901–1909). He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity. He was a leader of the Republic Party and founder of the short-lived Progressive ("Bull Moose") Party of 1912. Before becoming President, he held offices at the city, state, and federal levels. Roosevelt's achievements as a naturalist, explorer, hunter, author, and soldier are as much a part of his fame as any office he held as a politician.

Born into a wealthy family, Roosevelt was a sickly child who suffered from asthma and stayed at home studying natural history. To compensate for his physical weakness, he embraced a strenuous life. Home-schooled, he became an eager student of nature. He attended Harvard University, where he boxed and developed an interest in naval affairs. In 1881, one year out of Harvard, he was elected to the New York State Assembly as its youngest member. Roosevelt's first historical book, The Naval War of 1812 (1882), established his professional reputation as a serious historian. After a few years of operating a cattle ranch in the Dakotas, Roosevelt returned to New York City and gained fame fighting police corruption. The Spanish-American War broke out while Roosevelt was, effectively, running the Department of the Navy. He promptly resigned and led a small regiment in Cuba known as the Rough Riders, earning a nomination for the Medal of Honor, which was received posthumously on his behalf on January 16, 2001. After the war, he returned to New York and was elected Governor in a close-fought election. Within two years, he was elected Vice President of the United States.

In 1901, President William McKinley (also a Mason) was assassinated and Roosevelt became President at the age of 42, taking office at the youngest age of any U.S. President in history. Roosevelt attempted to move the Republican Party toward Progressivism, including trust busting and increased regulation of businesses. Roosevelt coined the phrase "Square Deal" to describe his domestic agenda, emphasizing that the average citizen would get a fair share under his policies. As an outdoorsman and naturalist, he promoted the conservation movement. On the world stage, Roosevelt's policies were characterized by his slogan, "Speak softly and carry a big stick". Roosevelt was the force behind the completion of the Panama Canal, sent the Great White Fleet on a world tour to demonstrate American power, and negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. Roosevelt was the first American to win the Nobel Prize in any field.

Roosevelt declined to run for re-election in 1908. After leaving office, he embarked on a safari to Africa and a tour of Europe. On his return to the U.S., a bitter rift developed between Roosevelt and his anointed successor as president, William Howard Taft (also a Mason). In 1912, Roosevelt attempted to wrest the Republican nomination from Taft, and when he failed, he launched the Bull Moose Party. In the ensuing election, Roosevelt became the only third-party candidate to come in second place, beating Taft but losing to Woodrow Wilson. After the election, Roosevelt embarked on a major expedition to South America; the river on which he traveled now bears his name. He contracted malaria on the trip, which damaged his health, and he died a few years later at the age of 60. Roosevelt has consistently been ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents.

Brother Theodore Roosevelt was a member of Matinecock Lodge #806, Oyster Bay, New York.

May We Meet Upon The _|_ Act By The ! And Part Upon The |_

W. Bro. Dwight D. Seals Camden Lodge #159 Camden, Ohio

.
Brethren,

W. Bro. Norm Lincoln sent me this a couple months ago. Thank you Norm. Read this two or three times to really get the meaning.
It was written many years ago, but I believe can still apply today.


Did U Know?

The Acid Test


He traveled far, he traveled near - and was always on the run
To some Masonic gathering, to have a little fun.
He had no trouble getting in, - his answers were the best,
His passes, and the words he knew, were passing every test.
Yes, he was with them every trick, with vigor and with vim;
A thousand Tylers, more or less, were all the same to him.
At last his earthly time was passed, the days fled one by one,
The day came when he visited "Celestial, Number One".
They dressed him in his apron, on his finger put his ring.
In his lapel was his emblem; they hadn't missed a thing.
He came up to the Tyler's door, - with confidence he knocked;
He saw the door swing open as the latches were unlocked.
Saint Peter stood there smiling, and Gabriel was tyling
When this Brother sauntered by with quite a grin;
It really didn't matter, for he thought a little chatter
Would turn the trick, and he could go right in.
He gave them all the grips and words, and all the passes too,
And Old St. Pete and Gabriel stood by till he was through.
Then they told him they were sorry, and his grin began to fade
For with all the grips and passes, still he couldn't make the grade.
They told him that the signs and words were really not enough
And that for many, many years he'd put up quite a bluff.
They told him that he didn't know the meaning of the square,
The meaning of the letter "G", or why it was put there.
They told him of the Holy Book, and of a Brother's love,
The things that have to be maintained in "Celestial", up above.
His face grew blank, and then it filled with knowing consternation;
He realized, but all too late - he'd forgot his obligation.
From Ohio Grand Lodge Bulletin 1976
By Bro. Hal F. Foyer
Rocky River Lodge # 703
8/11/1944

May We Meet Upon The _|_ Act By The ! And Part Upon The |_

W. Bro. Dwight D. Seals
Camden Lodge #159
Camden, Ohio