Arcana Lodge #187
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons

920 Lowry Avenue NE
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55418, USA

News from the East

I hope all of you have had an enjoyable summer.  I know that my summer was very memorable.  I look forward to fun and busy fall.  Besides the State Fair, we have many Lodge functions to look forward to.  My prayer is tthat these upmeming meetings and events will continure to be well attended.

Speaking of the State Fair, I’d like to thank the brothers who volumteered at the Grand Lodge Masonic booth.  It’s fun and rewarding to meet many other brother Masons from around Minnesota and it’s neghboring states.

Also, don’t forget to take the family out for a picnic or a casual walk in these last few summer days. Remember, we as Masons are all about family (Masonic & home.)  Make every moment count.  Because just as sure as the winter sets in and we wonder where the hot summer days went, we too might have a family member leave us.  Then we will wonder why we let these nice days pass us by without enjoying every moment of them that we could.

Until next time, take care and may God bless.

Fraternally yours,
Joe Macko, WM

News from the West

Brothers, We are approaching a noteworthy moment in Arcana’s history. October 17th is the 100th anniversary of the laying of Arcana Lodge’s cornerstone. The Arcana Herald of November 17, 1922, published “A Short History of Arcana Temple”, This history of the building is quite interesting and is reproduced below.

Vern Bandel, Senior Warden

A SHORT HISTORY OF ARCANA TEMPLE
(Arcana Herald, 11/17/22)

Apropos of the recent burning of the mortgage on Arcana Temple, the following history of the building has been prepared, on request by the Secretary of the Building Association, Bro. J. A. Coryell.

In 1903, Arcana, being housed in quarters none too pleasant or commodious, sentiment for the building of a new lodge home began to crystallize, and early in 1904 the organization of a building committee was effected. With little delay the present location was decided upon and first steps were taken toward securing the same, Bro. George H. Price advancing the earnest money. The sale of stock certificates in the building association to members of Arcana was then started, but progress was slow, as the membership at that time was small and scattered, and for a little time the attempt at forward movement was discouraging. The bulk of the membership then, as now, was composed of working men, and the amount that each had to invest was small.

To mitigate the circumstances, the lodge undertook the sale of a combination square and compass to lodges in various jurisdictions and from this source a considerable sum was realized - sufficient to pay for the lot selected.

However, the sale was stopped by the action of the Grand Master of Ohio. The treasury of the lodge containing at this time additional funds sufficient to build a foundation, this work was done. Further work, on the other hand was stopped, the committee appointed to erect the building fearing to assume the responsibility accruing with the depletion of the lodge treasury.

After the lapse of a year and a half a new committee consisting of brothers H. A. Sauer, C. W. Forsyth, W. H. Ronald, T. H. Anderson, and Archie Hickok was appointed and in September 1906 a contract was awarded to C. W. Lundquist for the erection of the building. On October 17 of the same year the cornerstone was laid by Grand Master Tom Morris, assisted by officers of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. It might be noted here that the total membership of Arcana at that time was about 125.

The committee, realizing the responsibility resting upon it, had faith in the loyalty of Arcana’s members. Moreover, the body also benefited from the backing given by Aaron Carlson, a public spirited citizen of Northeast, who, although not a Mason, rendered valuable financial assistance and aid.

On March 4, 1907, the hall was occupied by Arcana Lodge for an opening meeting. In May of that year the trust deed given to the committee which erected the building was satisfied and the management of the building was turned over to the building association where it still remains.

No expense has been incurred during the entire existence of the hall in its management, all of the committee have worked without pay, save one officer, and he receives only about one cent per hour in return for the time he expends upon this labor.

The rapid growth of Arcana in the few years following the world war has made it possible for Arcana Lodge to liquidate the mortgage which is now cancelled. While this does not put Arcana in absolute possession of the building, it hastens the time when that event will occur. At all times the Lodge has been practically at the head of affairs, as it dominates the Board of Directors by virtue of its ownership of a majority of the stock of the corporation. The directors have worked faithfully and enthusiastically, but will be glad when the time arrives to turn the burden of management to the Lodge itself.

Masonic Light

WELL INFORMED BRETHREN

Here are the answers to several common Masonic questions. Perhaps they will be of use to long time members as well as initiates:

Clandestine: That Mason or Masonry who or which is not recognized, without authority. Often used carelessly as a synonym for irregular. A clandestine Mason is one made in a clandestine Lodge; one not holden under a regular Grand Lodge. An irregular Mason may be one raised in a regular Lodge without compliance with Masonic law; as on a Sunday, without due notice, without waiting statutory time between degrees and lacking a dispensation, etc. Irregularity can be "healed". The only way a clandestine Mason can become a real Mason is by application, investigation, ballot and initiation, passing and raising in a regular Lodge.

Clothed: A Mason is properly clothed when wearing a white apron and gloves. By common consent, gloves are usually omitted except at funerals and corner-stone layings. A candidate is properly clothed when prepared according to ritual and law.

Confer: Used advisedly for the giving of degrees. The dictionary definition is "to grant a gift or benefit-bestow powers or honors." A degree is a gift, a benefit, a power, an honor. Degrees cannot be bought. Initiation fees help pay the overhead costs which all must share of Temple, Grand Lodge, necessary Masonic expenses. A man receives the degrees as a bestowal; he does not purchase or receive them as a right.

Congregate: Primarily, to congregate is to bring together in a crowd, to assemble. Secondarily, to congregate is to focus, to concentrate. Brethren waiting for Lodge to open in the primary sense are actually congregated. In the Masonic sense the Master "congregates the Lodge" when he raps brethren to attention, when the officers are clothed and seated, the door closed and the ceremony of opening begins.

Cowan: Is not synonymous with eavesdropper (see below.) The Cowan, (old Scotch term, obsolete except in Freemasonry) is an uninstructed Mason; a Mason without the word; a self taught workman who builds walls without mortar; an amateur stonecutter and setter. In modern times a Cowan is an Apprentice or Fellowcraft who attempts to sit in a Masters' Lodge.

Dimit: (also spelled demit). Paper which gives permission to leave the Lodge as a member and seek a new Masonic home; writ certifying that all dues and assessments are paid, no charges preferred or about to be preferred, that the holder is in good standing. The dimit is a Masonic right of any Mason in good standing who complies with the laws (differing in different Jurisdictions) regarding the holding or deposit of the dimit. In some jurisdictions a 'letter of transfer" is issued in place of a dimit, which keeps the holder a member of his Lodge until he is elected a member of another Lodge; such letters are usually for a three month period.

Discalceation: The Rite of Discalceation is very old; plucking off the shoe was testimony in ancient Israel. Apparently it came from the thought that when making a covenant, a man who removed his shoe could not easily run away. When "a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor" (see Ruth) he put in his neighbor's hands his method of escape, thus assuring that he was honest in his testimony or covenant.

Dotage: Does not refer to any specified number of years, as does nonage but to mental condition. A man may be in his dotage at fifty and in full possession of his faculties at ninety. Dotage is that age at which a man is senile, regardless of his years.

Due examination: The word "due" here refers to the manner, not the matter of the examination. The necessary preliminaries, proper caution, the regulations of the Grand Lodge being properly observed, all enter into "due examination."

Due guard: Mackey states: "A mode of recognition, which derives its name from its object, which is to duly guard the person using it." Some students believe it comes from the French expression "Dieu Garde" God guard. Its proper use in a Lodge is a constant reminder of the obligation, the penalties for infraction, the necessity of Masonic duty.

Edict: A proclamation of authority. Between meetings of Grand Lodge, the Grand Master has all the authority of that body. A Grand Master's edict has the force of the law until Grand Lodge passes upon it; in some Grand Jurisdictions the Grand Lodge does not pass upon the edict and it stands until repealed by Grand Master or Grand Lodge.

Eavesdropper: Not to be confused with cowan, although the two are usually mentioned together. The eavesdropper tries to hear what is private; he is the man who listens at keyholes or conceals himself in a room where Masonic work is being done. The word comes from a time in England when the eaves of thatched roofs were raised above the walls for ventilation. Climbing up the wall to listen through the opening the spy on privacy received the droppings from the eaves-hence "eavesdropper". In modern times the Masonic eavesdropper is the imposter,. the profane who attempts to pass himself off as a Mason when he is not.

Additional excerpts from this Masonic Service Association’s Short Talk Bulletin will appear in future issues of the Arcana Trestleboard.

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