Masonic Education, Research and
Some Thoughts

Lodge Education Officer
Worshipful Henry Colon

Each brother has a personal responsibility to develop a fundamental understanding of Masonry, and to apply it as it fits his own needs and that of his brothers.  The Lodge Education Officer coordinates formal education and is a sounding board for continuing education and research.  Here are some additional items for use by a new brother -- and by veterans.

For Non-Masons and Prospective Candidates

• Questions and Answers/FAQ's
• What Is A Mason? 

Especially For Candidates:  A new candidate is in waiting, and he wants to know how he can prepare for his degrees.  And what he can do to start his learning.  There are a few good volumes to recommend, and they are easily available:

• Born In Blood, by John J. Robinson.  Robinson was an amateur historian, and wrote this book BEFORE he ever became a Mason. He conveys his research as a non-Mason.  It is highly recommended.
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry, by S. Brent Morris.  Morris is one of the most important contemporary writers and researchers on Freemasonry. This book Offers a highly illustrated field guide to Masonic jewelry and symbols.  It includes further reading, a glossary, a list of famous Freemasons and information on Freemasonry in popular culture.
• Freemasons For Dummies, by Christopher Hodapp.  Notwithstanding the whimsical title, it is a good plain-English guide and reference.

1. Leadership
   1. Trestleboard Plan for Incoming Worshipful Master
   2. Work for the Lodge
   3. Guide For Masters and Wardens
   4. The Master's Book
   5. Hiram's Handbook for Worshipful Masters from the GL of Maine
   6. Hiram's Trestleboard for Senior and Junior Wardens from the GL of Maine
   7. Increasing Lodge Attendance
   8. Programs for Tiled Meetings
   9. Responsibilities and Opportunities of the Worshipful Master
   10. Powers of the Worshipful Master
2. Short Course in Our Craft
   1. Origin and Evolution of Speculative Freemasonry
   2. The Traditional Degrees in Freemasonry
   3. The Symbols of Freemasonry
   4. The Legacy of Operative Freemasonry
   5. The Working Tools Of The Craft
   6. Speculative Craft Masonry
   7. History - A Key Element In Masonry
3. Shakespeare Lodge History
   1. Brother William Jennings Bryan Speech in Shakespeare Lodge, April 21, 1921
      1. Minutes of the meeting
      2. Short bio of Brother Bryan
   2. An Early History of Shakespeare Lodge by RW William J. Thomas
4. Degrees
   1. Entered Apprentice
      1. Entered Apprentice Degree (1)
      2. Entered Apprentice Degree (2) [by permission of the GL of California]
      3. Entered Apprentice Degree (3)
      4. Entered Apprentice Degree (4) J.S.M. Ward
      5. Entered Apprentice Cipher (password required)
      6. Entered Apprentice Study Book [by permission of the GL of MN]
   2. Fellowcraft
      1. Fellowcraft Degree (1)
      2. Fellowcraft Degree (2) [by permission of the GL of California]
      3. Fellowcraft Degree (3)
      4. Fellowcraft Degree (4) J.S.M. Ward
      5. Fellowcraft Degree Cipher (password required)
      6. Fellowcraft Study Book [by permission of the GL of MN]
   3. Master Mason
      1. Master Mason Degree (1)
      2. Master Mason Degree (2) [by permission of the GL of California]
      3. Master Mason Degree (3)
      4. Master Mason Degree (4) J.S.M. Ward
      5. Master Mason Study Book [by permission of the GL of MN]
5. Masonic Education
   1. A Glossary of terms used in the degrees
   2. Masonic Book Club re-prints hard to find Masonic books for its members. Typically one books is reprinted a year. Memberships are limited to 1600.
   3. Address to the New Master Mason
   4. A Token, by W Jacob Brandfon, Armistice Lodge No.1008 (unknown Grand Lodge), 1938 (Donated by RW Walter Schraeter, DSA)
   5. I Am A Mason!  Are You? by RW Maurice M. Witherspoon, Captain (ChC) USN (Ret)
   6. Pronunciation of Some Masonic Words according to a scholar of ancient Middle Eastern languages (thanks to Brother Adam Mackler)
   7. Masonic Etiquette
   8. Bible Presentations The GLNY has prescribed several Bible Presentations from which to choose for the Entered Apprentice degree.
   9. 101 Questions About Freemasonry From the Masonic Service Association
   10. Library Reading Course Livingston Library
   11. Subscribe to the Short Talk Bulletins, from the Masonic Service Association of North America.  They send you a short education pamphlet every month.  Cost is $6/year.
   12. "There is, within every well-governed Lodge, a certain Point Within A Circle, embordered by two parallel perpendicular lines ..."
6. Papers and writings by our Members
   1. On Wisdom, Strength and Beauty by Brother Michael A. Chaplin
   2. Triangles Bro Jack Patterson
   3. The Most Important Thing In Life RW Daniel S. Semel
   4. Grand Lodge of Iceland RW Walter Schraeter, DSA, Grand Rep of Iceland
7. Music, Poetry, Plays, Literature
   1. Masonic Doxology, or Old 100th - sung during Fellowcraft Degree; click here to listen to it.