Short Talk Bulletin

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by WBro Elbert Bede, Editor Emeritus of the Oregon Freemason, and is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, PGM – CA. Astronomy and Geometry are closely linked in the liberal arts and sciences of Freemasonry. The Winding Stairs lecture, and these days less so The Dewdrop Lecture are an important part of the Fellowcraft degree. Here we find an excellent discussion about the what and the why. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode is adapted from a paper of the same name shared by the committee on Research and Education of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, and is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, PGM – CA. It has been said that the purpose of Freemasonry is the pursuit of excellence. All of our teachings are directed towards excellence in the pursuit of our duties to God, our country, our neighbors and ourselves. The continuing effort to improve one’s self is the true mark of a Mason. Enjoy, and do share this and all of the Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episodes was written by MW Bro Donald M. Severson, PGM – MN. Every Master Mason is familiar with the phrase, “…in order that I might receive Master’s wages, to better support my wife and family, and contribute to the relief of a distressed worthy Master mason, his widow and orphans. ” Here, we find an excellent discussion of what is meant by “Masters’ Wages”. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl H. Claudy, and is brought to us by RW Bro Andy Caron, DDGM 14th Maine. The wages that our ancient brethren received for their work on King Solomon’s Temple are paid no more. In the Lodge, we use them as symbols, and here is their story. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl H. Claudy, and is brought to us by RW Bro Jeffrey Simonton, DGM – ME. The standard dictionary defines dignity: grave or noble bearing; impressiveness of character; repose and serenity of demeanor; the state or quality of being excellent, worthy, or honorable. How does this relate to Freemasonry? Here, we find out. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl H. Claudy, and is brought to us by RW Bro Jeffrey Simonton, DGM – ME. To Vouch for a brother is to say, as a Master Mason, that you have sat in open Lodge with him, or you have other legal Masonic information which you then vouch for. It is a privilege reserved for Master Masons, and one of the most consequential acts we can perform. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl H. Claudy, and is brought to us by RW Bro Dex Rowe, PDDGM 8th, VT. Here we find an excellent discussion of that symbol, cherished by thinking Freemasons, not as one of many, but as one to be held in tenderest thought and most precious esteem, that whispers of justice tempered with complete understanding. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro Zelwyn B. Eaton, and is brought to us by WBro David Koncz, PM – United #8, Brunswick ME. It is uncomfortable to consider our own demise. As Freemasons, our accepted duties are to help, aid, and assist, and there is no one who needs it more than someone who has just recently lost a loved one. Here we find a guide to Masonic funeral planning, which we should all give consideration to while we have time. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl H. Claudy and first published in July 1949. This justly famous elaboration of the Prestonian lecture upon Geometry, part of the Fellowcraft degree, is less well known to present day Masons than it’s poetical content deserves. Mackie mistakenly attributes the authorship to Pike, but, lucky for you, here is the real story. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brother and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro Lawrence Chisom, Executive director for the Masonic Home For Children, and is brought to us by WBro Jason Thompson, PM – Village #26, Bowdenham ME. The problems of drugs and abuse threaten the lives of countless children, and the mentorship program instituted by Masonry is but one response. Here is the story. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro John J. Robinson, author of “A Pilgrim’s Path”, and is brought to us by WBro David Koncz, PM – United #8, Brunswick ME. Not to spoil the surprise, but the answer, of course, is “No”. Here we find part of an excellent series of Bulletins designed to equip Masons with ways to respond to the misleading, inaccurate, and often untrue statements about Freemasonry made by religious extremists. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl Claudy, and is brought to us by WBro David Koncz, PM – United #8, Brunswick ME. It is remarkable that the fires of war have not always been hot enough to burn away Masonic obligations and brotherhood.. These six tales will undoubtedly raise a lump of pride in the throat, and hope that we may all live up to these examples in our own lives. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Rev Dr and Bro Joseph Fort Newton, and first sent to all constituent Lodges of all of the member jurisdictions in May 1924. Along with the square, the compasses are one of our oldest symbols, and represents more and more as it is revealed throughout the degrees. Here, we dive into these representations, though we barely put a circle around much of importance. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was prepared under the direction of Bro Clarence ‘Bud” Brown, president of the United States Chapel Historical Society and a member of Blanchester Lodge #191, Blanchester OH, and is brought to us by WBro W. Clayton Grimm, newly installed first time Master and 58 year-member of Village Lodge #26, Bowdoinham ME. There is a play, ‘Where Freedom Speaks’, that has been published by the Chapel Historical Society that is performed by youth groups across the country that speaks to the organization and history of the United States government. Here is the story of the how and why. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by the Rev Dr and Bro Joseph Fort Newton and was first published in February 1925. In this season of renewal, let us take a look back at one of the fundamental symbols of our gentle Craft, and remind ourselves whence we came. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by RW Bro Michael W. Walker, GS of the GL of Ireland, and is brought to us by VW Bro David Koncz, PM – United #8 ME. Upon his initiation, the brethren are assured that the candidate is living in good repute among his friends and neighbors. Later, upon being charged, he is exhorted to learn how to discharge his duties to his God, his neighbor, and himself; also to always demonstrate those truly Masonic characteristics of benevolence and brotherly love. Here, we find the story of why this matters. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast Episode is from the golden pen of Rev Dr Bro Joseph Fort Newton, first published in June 1923. Freemasonry has no greater name than Robert Burns. If there are those who question his investiture as Poet Laureate of the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, owing to the absence of certain documentary evidence, no one denies that he was, and is, the greatest poet of Freemasonry, the singer alike of its faith and its friendship, its philosophy and its fun, its passion and its prophecy. Nay, more; he was the Laureate, of the hopes and dreams of the lowly of every land, and here is his story. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge, and raise a salute on Bro Burns’ birthday.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Jeffrey Williamson, PGM – NY, and is brought to us by VW Bro David Koncz, PM – United #8 ME. We find ourselves at the start of a new year, and with that come new officers and new responsibilities. Some brothers serve their Lodges by accepting the next chair and traveling through the line. But does this engender leadership of our Craft? Or does it just lead to more continuing? Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge, and especially with all new officers.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written in 1980 by WBro Harry M. Lehrbach, editor of the Masonic Tribune in Seattle. At the time of his writing, WBro Lehrbach was struggling with the question of “Why?” with respect to his own Masonic journey. Besides being well worth the listen, this may shed some light on your own reasons for continuing to be a Mason. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro Joseph J. Berlandi, Executive Secretary of the 32 Degree Learning Centers For Children and Scottish Rite NMJ, and is brought to us by Bro Matt Bower, Host of the Tyler’s Place Podcast for the Scottish Rite SMJ. “It was like watching a caterpillar become a butterfly before my eyes; a miraculous transformation had occurred.” That sentiment from a parent of a child with dyslexia being tutored, at one of our Children’s Learning Centers, is a testimony to our success. Here is the story. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.