Arcana Lodge #187
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons

920 Lowry Avenue NE
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55418, USA

News From The South

He noted that the life cycle of an organization, unlike that of a person, is not even approximately predictable.  Of course an organization can decline and die, but it can also go through a period of stagnation and then revive.  Of utmost importance is a spirit of creativity throughout the organization.

He listed nine rules for organizational renewal.  Since Arcana Lodge can certainly be classified as an organization, I think we might find this interesting.  His first, second, fifth, eighth, and ninth rules, can be implemented, to some extent, at the local level, and I will concentrate on those.

“The first rule is that the organization must have a hard-hitting program for the recruitment and development of talent.  People are the ultimate source of renewal.  It must have the kind of recruitment policy that will bring a steady flow of able and highly motivated individuals.  And it can not afford to let those men go to seed.  There must be positive, constructive programs of development.

“The second rule for the organization capable of continuous renewal is that it must be a hospitable environment for the individual.  Organizations that have killed the spark of individuality it the members will have greatly diminished their capacity for change.

“The fifth rule is that the organization must have an adequate system of internal communication.

“The eighth rule is that the organization capable of continuous renewal is interested in what it is going to become and not what it has been.  It is interested in the evolving future and not in the glorious past.

“The ninth rule is an obvious one, but a very difficult one.  An organization runs on motivation, on conviction, on morale.  Men have to believe that it really makes a difference whether they do well or badly.  They have to care.  They have to believe that their efforts as individuals will mean something for the whole organization, and will be recognized by the whole organization.”

I’m not necessarily  the “highly motivated” person needed to bring about a turn-around in Arcana Lodge, but I’d like to hear from brothers who are interested in doing something to improve the health of Arcana.

We need brothers who will serve in elective and appointive offices, and brothers who are willing to serve on committees (helping with degree work, the Trestle Board, Charitable Projects, Social Activities, mentoring new members).

Think about it and let us hear from you— Before December !

Vern Bandel
Junior Warden

News From The Secretary

It’s dues time again, and I’d like to thank all the members who have been prompt in keeping their Masonic dues current.  I’d also like to thank all of you who have chosen the Life Membership option.  As you know, not only does  Life Membership simplify the dues process for you the members (and the secretary,) it guarantees you membership no matter what your future financial situation is, it protects you from future increases in annual dues fees, and after you answer the roll call of the Great Architect of the Universe the Life Membership Fund will continue to support Arcana Lodge at one-half of our annual dues rate each and every year for as long as our Lodge exists!

For 2006 Arcana Lodge witnessed the first increase in our lodge dues in four years, and that increase will help keep the Lodge financially strong.  Even at $95 a year that’s still less than $8 a month, or less than the cost of a hot dog and cold beverage at a Vikings, Twins, or Wild game.  Another thing that changed when our by-laws were amended this fall is the cost to petition Arcana Lodge.  I have printed new petitions with our current pricing spelled out and have them available at the Lodge, and on our web site.  Please remember to collect the $50 petition fee when you submit a new candidates petition to the secretary. 

I am also very happy to report that all of our first floor commercial renters are doing well, and by the first of the year they should all be under renewed three-year leases.  Unfortunately last year we did loose the rent income when Zion Commandery moved to the Scottish Rite Temple, and I’ve heard that Minneapolis Council #2 is considering a similar move.

As many of you who attend our meeting on a regular basis have noticed, our Master and Senior Warden have been unable to participate in the lodge to the degree they originally anticipated at the beginning of the year.  Luckily for Arcana we have a strong and committed core of Past Masters who have risen to the challenge and stepped in to help where they can.  I’d especially like to thank WB Dave Sibben for filling in as WM when Aleksandr isn’t available, to WB Ken Odegaard who’s been filling in for our SW Carl, to WB Jerry Chartrand who’s taken the position of SD, and to MWB Don Severson who’s taken over direction of the upcoming Masonic degrees.   I’d also like to thank WB Chuck Berger, WB Bernie Wiklund, and WB Curt Johnson who have filled in many times for various offices and duties.  And finally to our JW Vern Bandel for really stepping up to the plate and providing leadership where others have lacked.

Fraternally yours,
Douglas R. Roswold, PM

Behind the Symbol

The following is a continuation from the August issue of the Arcana Trestleboard of an excerpt from The Masonic Service Association of the United States Short Talk Bulletin, Volume 32, July 1954.

Recent publications such as the movie National Treasure, and Dan Browns popular book The DaVinci Code have brought Masonic symbols into light for the general public. As Masons we should remember that Masonic symbols are like many common words which mean different things at different times to different people when used in different ways.  A large book would be required to list all Masonic symbols and even suggest the several meanings of each.  All that may be attempted here is a suggestion of the “symbol behind the symbol” in a few of Masonry’s images often quoted as “A beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols”.

"....and they went up the winding stairs into the middle chamber." (I Kings VI-8)

The Winding Stairs is one of the great symbols of the Fellowcraft Degree. It has a hidden, a covered, a buried meaning not easily to be seen without some intensive looking and not even hinted in the ritual. William Preston, who was more "father of the ritual" of the Fellowcraft Degree than any other, hoped to make this ceremony in Freemasonry a vehicle which would create a desire for a liberal education in those who received it; hence the emphasis upon the liberal arts and sciences, the orders of architecture, etc.

But philosophers of Masonry have seen a deeper meaning in the stairs. as the Fellowcraft Degree as a whole is one of manhood-- as opposed to youth in the Entered Apprentice Degree, and old age in the Master Mason Degree - they find in the winding stairs that incentive to courage without which no man successfully combats the evils, dangers and misfortunes of life.

The point is that the stairs wind.

It does not take courage to climb a straight stair, on which every step can be seen from the one before and the top is in view from the beginning. If there are perils on the way on a straight stair, they can be noted and preparations made. but on winding stair, but one or two steps ahead are visible. What is around the corner? To what difficulties or dangers does progress on an unseen stairway lead? It takes courage to ascent. The Angel of Death may stand with sword drawn around the next bend. There may be lions in the path, difficulties to surmount, dangers to overcome.

Yet man climbs - aye, he climbs because he is a man, a man grown, a man self-sufficient, and willing, and able to face what life brings. The Fellowcraft Degree as a whole is a preparation for successful manhood; nothing within it has a greater incentive for him who can see with mental eyes the symbol behind the symbol of the winding stairs, than this thought of the courage a real and whole man must have if he is to reach the Middle Chamber...

Future issues of the Arcana Trestleboard will host additional discussions of what’s behind other Masonic symbols.

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