's blog
Star Spangled Banner
American National Anthem
Francis Scott Key
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars,
through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets red glare,
the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night,
That our flag was still there,
Oh say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
On the shore dimly seen throughout the mists of the deep
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes
What is that which the breeze o'er the towering steep
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream.
`Tis the Star-Spangled Banner, Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so hauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and country, shall leave us no more?
Their blood was washed out their foul foot steps pollution
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh thus be it e'er when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that has made and preserved us a nation
And conquer we must when our cause is just
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Those Men Who Wear Those Mason Rings by Michael R. Strampe
Past Master: Lake Lodge #189
F&AM Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Men Who Help My Dad Each day,
They Wear Those Mason Rings,
A Square and Compass Set in Gold,
The Praise of Which I Sing.
My Dad, He Hurt His Back, You Know,
One Cold and Wintery Day.
He Slipped and Fell Upon the Ice,
The Insurance Would Not Pay.
And Since That Time Those Rings I See
On Hands That Help Us Much,
With Mowing lawns and Hauling Trash,
Each Day My Heart They Touch.
They Even Built a House for Me
Amid Our Backyard Tree,
Where All the Neighbor Kids Would
Play with Laughter Full of Glee.
My Mom She Cried from Happiness
That Time the Masons Came,
To Aid Our Family in Distress
Without a Thought of Gain.
And When I'm Big, Just like My Dad
Of This It Must Be Told,
I Want to Wear a Ring Like His
A Square and Compass Gold.
Long Years Have Pasted Since When
My Dad Was in That Plaster Cast,
And Since I Swore That Solemn Oath
Which Unites Us to the Last.
I HOLD IN MY HAND A LITTLE SCRAP OF PAPER 2 ½ X 31/2 INCHES IN SIZE IT IS OF NO INTRINSIC WORTH NOT A BOND, NOT A CHECK OR RECEIPT FOR VALUABLES, YET IT IS MY MOST PRICELESS PRSSESSION IT IS MY MEMBERSHIP CARD IN A MASONIC LODGE. IT TELLS ME THAT I HAVE ENTERED INTO A SPIRITUAL KINSHIP WITH MY FELLOW MASONS TO PRACTICE CHARITY IN WORD AND DEED TO FORGIVE AND FORGET THE FAULTS OF MY BROTHREN TO HUSH THE TONGUES OF SCANDAL AND INNUENDO TO CARE FOR THE CRIPPLED, THE HUNGRY AND SICK, AND TO BE FAIR AND JUST TO ALL MANKIND IT TEIIS ME THAT NO MATTER WHERE I MAY TRAVEL IN THE WORLD, I AM WELCOME TO VISIT A PLACE WHERE GOOD FELLOWSHIP PREVAILS AMONG BROTHERS AND FRINDS IT TELLS ME THAT MY LOVED ONES, MY HOME, AND MY HOUSEHOLD ARE UNDER THR PROTECTION OF EVERY MEMBER OF THIS GREAT FRATERNITY, WHOHAVE SWORE TO DEFEND AND PORTECT MINE AS I HAVE SWORN TO DEFEND AND PROTECT THEIRS IT TELLS ME THAT SHOULD I EVER BE OVERTAKEN
BY ADVERSITY OR MISFORTUNE
THROUGHNO FAULT OF MY OWN THE HANDS OF EVERY MASON ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH WILL BE STRETCHED FORTH TO ASSIST ME IN MY NECESSITIES AND FINALLY, IT TELLS ME THAT WHEN MY FINAL EXIT FROM THE STAGE OF LIFE HAS BEEN MADE THERE WILL BE GATHERED AROUND MY LIFELESS BODY FRIENDS AND BROTHERS WHO WILL RECALL TO MIND MY VIRTUES, THOUGH THEY MAY BE FEW AND WILL FORGET MY FAULTS, THOUGH THEY MAY BE MANY IT TELLS ME THAT, AND A GREAT DEAL MORE, THIS LITTLE CARD, AND MAKEES ME PROUD YET HUMBLE, THAT I CAN POSSESS THIS PASSPORT INTO A SOCIETY OF FRIENDS AND BROTHERS THAT ARE NUMBERED IN THE MILLIONS.
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN -
Brothers read and then reread this, think on what you read then act on it.
I Borrowed This From a DEAR/TRUE MASONIC FRIEND/BROTHER:
IT'S ONLY a DOLLAR:
One of the many online activities I engage in regarding Freemasonry and frequent perusal of Yahoo! Answers is one of my favourites, all barring one little thing. Everyone asks the same questions!!! It is no surprise to me now that people seem to get such an absurd, uneducated and sometimes quite comical impression of Freemasonry when many can't even work out how to use a simple search facility to see their question has already been asked hundreds of times before!!
Now one of the many things I admire about the American people is there partiotism and the pride they take in their history and achievements, so it always comes as both an unpleasent and surprising shock to see questions regarding the historical aspects of America, USA, and how people of said country try to enforce some really quite distasteful claims.
Just a few minutes ago I, for what must be the 3rd, 5th or 7th time in as many days found myself responding to questions regarding the Dollar Bill and it's apparent proof of Masonic infiltration, farsical American history and general NWO clap trap.
I used to find it somewhat amusing to begin with, and if I am honest I used to think "funny americans" but now it is almost concerning that people actually believe this stuff?? The American history is one of the best recorded, most envied and the detailing of most aspects is freely available, so how I ask do people even remotely believe such things?
So for those who still think the Dollar Bill proves masonic control, is full of masonic symbols blah blah...
1) Benjamin Franklin was the only Mason on the first design committee, and his suggestions had no Masonic content.
2) None of the final designers of the seal were Masons.
3) The interpretation of the eye on the seal is subtly different from the interpretation used by Masons.
4) The eye in the pyramid is not nor has been a Masonic symbol
A committee was assembled in 1776, Independance Day no less, to create a seal for the new American nation.
This first committe consisted of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, with Pierre Du Simitière as artist and consultant. Only Benjamin Franklin was a Mason, and he contributed nothing of a Masonic nature to the committee’s proposed design for a seal.
Du Simitière, who was not a Mason, contributed several major design features that appeared in the final seal namely the shield, E Pluribus Unum, MDCCLXXVI, and the eye of providence in a triangle.
The eye of providence usually being interpreted, by the un-educated, as one proof of "masonic influence" has an interesting history. First use of a single "eye" being in Egypt, as the Eye of Horus, it's appearance in the west was late 17th century, shown surrounded by clouds and by the early 18th century it was enclosed in a triangle as a more explicit trinitarian reference to the God of Christianity and considered a solely Christian symbol. Freemasonry was only just beginning in England and hadn't arrived in any other country by then.
This symbol was added by a non-maons and at most you could say this part was influenced by the Christian Faith America was born with.
It is written by Hieronimus, on p. 81, “The single eye was a well-established artistic convention for an ‘omniscient Ubiquitous Deity’ in the medallic art of the Renaisance. Du Simitière, who suggested using the symbol, collected art books and was familiar with the artistic and ornamental devices used in Renaissance art.”
Congress declined the first committee’s suggestions as well as those of the second committee in 1780 commitee. Again as with the first the consultant, Francis Hopkinson, contributed a number of ideas that remained: “white and red stripes within a blue background for the shield, a radiant constellation of thirteen stars, and an olive branch.”
Hopkinson’s greatest contribution to the current seal came from his design of a different note, the 1778 Colonial 50-dollar bill which is where we first see the unfinished pyramid.
The third and final design committee produced the layout in 1782, which congress finally passed. Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, and William Barton, artist and consultant, they borrowed the elements mentioned previously from the earlier designs and sketched what became the official seal of the United States of America.
The first mention of the "Masonic Influence" came in 1884 from Harvard Professor Eliot Norton who commented in writing that the reverse was “practically incapable of effective treatment; it can hardly, (however artistically treated by the designer,) look otherwise than as a dull emblem of a Masonic fraternity"
The simple, and ONLY fact that remains are the remarks made by Thomson and Barton, and offer the only legitimate explination as to the meaning behind the symbolism, regardless of what anyone else may wish to cunjure up in their imagination
“The Pyramid signified Strength and Duration: The Eye over it & the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favor of the American cause.”
The only element within the design that could be considered Masonic is the Eye of Providence, but the interpretation of it by the designers is very different from that used by the Masons. On the seal the eye represents the active intervention of God over men, and to bring it close to that of the Masonic use you would have to state it stands for a passive awareness by God of the activities of men. A change of words on paper yes, but the change in meaning is huge!.
The amusing part of it all those, is the All Seeing Eye did not become incorporated into the emblems of Freemasonry until 14 years after it was introduced to the Seal of the United States, and that was enclosed in a half circle, not triangle, which also changes the meaning. The triangle is specficially used emblematically of the Trinity.
Maybe we should be looking into America placing secret symbolism into Freemasonry LOL Only joking...
They wear those Mason rings.
A Square and Compass set in gold,
The praise of which I sing
One cold and wintery day.
He slipped and fell upon the ice,
The insurance would not pay.
On hands that help us much.
With mowing lawns and hauling trash,
Each day my heart they touch.
Amid our backyard tree.
Where all the neighbor kids,
Would play with laughter full of glee.
The time the Masons came.
To aid our family in distress,
Without a thought of gain.
Of this it must be told.
I want to wear a ring like his,
A Square and Compass gold.
My dad was in that plaster cast.
And since I swore that Solemn Oath,
Which unites us to the last.
I wear his Mason ring.
The one dad wore for many years,
Until his death this spring.
To aid my weeping mother.
They praised and bid a fond farewell,
To our fallen Brother.
About their Aprons white.
And of the rings upon their hands.
Of gold so shiny bright.
They're men of spirit pure.
Those men who wear those Mason rings,
Of that you can be sure.
The family he foretold.
Someday I'll wear a ring like dad's,
A Square and Compass gold.
This is Especially for MY CHRISTIAN BROTHERS (& ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO READ & LEARN):
I Thought I'd Post the Basic Outline I Used for the Testimony if My Spiritual Journey, Which I Delivered @ the Beginning of Sunday School on the Morning of Sunday, August 5, 2007 A.D. In a Later Blog Entry, I'll Give More Details of the Journey. I Give †JESUS† ALL GLORY, HONOR & PRAISE for this Journey!!!
TESTIMONY OF †JESUS† THE †CHRIST† THROUGH CHRISTOPHER W. POLLEY
I. MY LIFE BEFORE MY BAPTISM
II. MY LIFE BETWEEN MY BAPTISM & MY DECISION FOR †JESUS†
A. My Baptism
B. My 12 Day in Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
1. My Bleeding & Blood Loss
2. My Surgery
3. My Blood Transfusions
4. The Blood Donations Done in My Name by Friends/Faith Family
5. My Home Rehab
6. My Epiphany/Affirmation/Confirmation of LOVE from GOD on 9/11/2001
C. Spiritually Adrift & Finding New Home
1. Feeling COMPLETELY Adrift, Spiritually
2. Wayne Gupton Bringing Me to House of Christian Fellowship
3. Feeling @ Home, as of 2nd Sunday
III. MY LIFE SINCE MY DECISION FOR †JESUS†
A. The Crises Which Led to My Decision for †JESUS†
1. Various Bouts of Severe Major Depression w/ Severe Anxiety/Panic Attacks
2. Feeling the HOLY SPIRIT Tell Me to be More Active in the Church
3. The Most Recent Crisis (the Direct Predecessor to My Decision for †JESUS†)
B. My Decision for †JESUS†
C. The Continual Improvement & Hopes for the Future
Actually, What We Call "Common" Sense (i.e. GOOD JUDGEMENT) ISN'T COMMON; In Fact, IT'S VERY RARE, ALWAYS HAS BEEN & ALWAYS WILL BE!!!
This is a Repost from the Blog of One of My DEAREST/BEST FRIENDS on Yahoo! on ANYWHERE ELSE, Bishop John C. "Dad" Grant (aka GOD's Highlander on Yahoo! 360)!!!
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved ole friend, Mr. Common Sense.
Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valued lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple , sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable Parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge.)
His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge financial settlement.
Mr. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason.
He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral, because...........so few realized he was gone!
It seems there are too many conspiracy theories and other misconceptions about Freemasonry. Here are some things Freemasonry isn't: 1) a cult, or other religious sect/group; 2) a secret society (there has been a lot written & said about Freemasons, putting them in a positive light); 3) a part (let alone the leaders) of a grand global domination cabal. Here are some things Freemasonry is: 1) a group of men (usually very spiritua/religious) who are dedicated to ideals very consistent with Christianity & most major religions; 2) open to men of faith who desire to do good in the world & serve their fellow humans; 3) a charitable (in the traditional agape/caritas sense) organization/social club; 4) a group of men (with women's & children's auxillaries) planning & doing good in & for the world (including preserving & increasing human knowledge). If you want to be a freemason (or a part of one of the zuxillary/affiliated groups, esp. if you're a woman or child), simply ask one. He will be more than happy to help you. For those who like what the Shriners do, but seem not to like the Freeemasons, I have news for you! Shriners are Freemasons (and their female relatives, in many cases!)
