A Comment by Bro Ben Apacible on GLP GM's Circular 14

"Yesterday, I received and, with great sadness, read MW Jaime Y. Gonzales’ Circular No. 14 which discourages or prohibits members of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines from attending the “NO HOST FELLOWSHIP-BRETHREN ALL” scheduled on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at the Intramuros Golf Club.

He pointed out that “the ‘other Grand Jurisdictions’ referred to in the invitation may include the previously declared clandestine Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI), and the ‘brethren of other Grand Jurisdictions’ alluded thereto also may cover those who have already been declared clandestine masons by our Grand Lodge. Thus, the members of our Grand Jurisdiction may be exposed to clandestine masons and lodges”.

When the idea of this “NO HOST FELLOWSHIP” was conceptualized, the purpose was “to ‘MEET ON THE LEVEL’ and practice in and out of their respective Lodges and Grand Jurisdictions ‘BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF, TRUTH, LIBERTY, EQUALITY, and FRATERNITY’” and to look forward for a more meaningful Masonic year.

The aim was to promote harmony among the brethren irrespective of Grand Jurisdictions, which is one of the basic goals of the Fraternity. Thus the invitation is open to all Brethren including those from our Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, the Gran Logia Nacional de Filipinas, the Soberana Grand Logia del Archipelago Filipinas, unaffiliated brethren from other Grand Lodges, and yes, the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. Several have already communicated their intention to attend.

I strongly adhere to the “Fundamental Law of Universal Freemasonry” which is aptly defined in the opening paragraph of our Old Charges as follows:

“The constant and strict respect of this tradition, despite the diversity of nature of the Grand Lodges or the various countries, despite the variety of the Lodges composing them, despite the particular tendencies of the Brethren of all races, all nationalities, all faiths and all opinions composing them, ensure it universal character to the Masonic Order and allows all Free-Masons to recognize each other as Brethren. These traditional rules are our cement and our bond. They are both a moral and practical nature. They set the broad outlines for the life of Grand Lodges and Lodges, and prescribe to all our Brethren intangible moral imperatives. They maintain the framework of Masonic work, perpetual quest for freedom and justice, sheltered from any religious and political quarrel. They allow Free-Masonry to constitute that true Center of Union where meet, fraternally, men who without it would have perpetually remained strangers to each other”.

The “No Host Fellowship” is not intended to discuss the rituals, principles, affairs, conflicts, and other concerns of the Brethren’s respective Grand or Subordinate Lodges. It is contemplated only to be a gathering of friends and brothers. Hence, there will be no Masonic intercourse.

It is neither a Lodge nor Masonic District meeting, for which reasons the prohibitions cited in the Circular will not apply. The Most Worshipful Grand Master, I most respectfully believe, should have nothing to fear that we will violate any of our Masonic charges and obligations. What we contemplate to do is to practice the true universality of Masonry, according to the Old Charges, as well as the virtues and morals of tolerance and brotherly love, with which we are inculcated in our Lodges.

Allow me to quote Illustrious Albert Pike who said, citing Illustrious Philippe Dupin:

“Can it be truly said that … Masonry has performed its mission, when in its bosom men see restored to life and activity again, one of those very monsters, to wage war against and overthrow which was its chief purpose. I mean INTOLERANCE. Have we not seen one branch of the great Masonic Family proscribe another, and launch against it anathemas, seek to close against it all the Temples, shun its members as if accursed with pestilence, command the places to be purified, where their feet had trodden, and practices as well as by opinions, bring back the times of superstition, prosecution and intolerance? So that, while in the outer world the Protestant lives in peace by the side of the Catholic, or Israelite; when the old religions have laid down the arms with which they have long warred against each other, Masonry still sets the example of that impious strife of Brother against Brother! … Let us incessantly repeat … that the work which Masonry has to do will never be ended, so long as there remains a Truth to be defended, and error to be combated, an ignorant man to be instructed, an unfortunate to be assisted, or a Brother to be loved. He who professes these maxims is a regular Mason. He who holds other doctrines is but a spurious Brother.”

Freemasonry is not a fountain, giving health and beauty to a single Lodge or Grand Lodge, and quenching the thirst only of those dwelling near it. Freemasonry is a mighty stream, penetrating though every hill and mountain, and gliding through every field and valley of the earth, bearing in its beneficent bosom the abundant waters of understanding and tolerance to all those who leave without its Circle and love and charity for all people of every land.

With these thoughts, I will be present in the “No Host Fellowship – Brethren All” on March 13, 2008, and continue to support future endeavors of the same nature, if only to contribute to the harmony of the Craft throughout the world and leave a legacy to future Filipino Masons that I have done my part to prove to the world that Masons, irregardless of Grand Jurisdiction, can “MEET ON THE LEVEL” and in “HARMONY” and that truly ”Masonry is the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God”.

May the GAOTU continue to bless and guide all Masons withersoever dispersed."

Bro. Ben Apacible, PM, PDDGM
Kalilayan Lodge No. 37, Lucena City
Araw Lodge No. 18, Manila
Grand Lodge of the Philippines

The Doctrine of Exclusive Jurisdiction & Worldwide Freemasonry

Logo of the Knights Of Freemasonry Universal.

"Exclusive jurisdiction seems to be a doctrine that has been developed and best applied in North America, where a small unit such as a state or province makes up the jurisdiction. The doctrine may even have served a useful purpose in the earliest stages of Masonic expansion, but in the 20th & 21st centuries has only contributed to discrimination, isolation and political dilemma.

Some of this has only recently been addressed by the co-recognition of several Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges with their `mainstream' counterpart grand lodges. This, of course, results in multiple grand lodges existing in the same jurisdiction - effectively negating the thrust of the doctrine.

The doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction may even have had a very adverse consequence on North American Grand Lodges over the last 50 or more years. Many Masons believe that in the wake of the meteoric increase of Masonic membership during the period 1940 to 1962, and subsequent `glide slope' decline, that the distinction of fraternity and exercise of the qualities & tenets of The Craft have ceased to be fundamental in the philosophy of many grand lodges - that Masonic obligation & integrity have been replaced by mediocrity and that the pursuit of `light' has been replaced by politics & personality.

The theory further broadens to speculate that isolation from diverse Masonic philosophy and the richness of international fraternalism has resulted in US Masonry operating "in a vacuum". The richness and depth that attracted the great men of history to Masonry still exist in our time - often in Lodges we "cannot" visit - but the boundaries we erect may well prevent us from again discovering them."

To read full article, please click on main title or here.

The article was "discovered" while perusing the website of the Knights Of Freemasonry Universal . A body of universalist Freemasons. Please take the time and visit their website to know more of what they are trying to accomplish.

Biblical Passages to Reflect On

Hebrews 13:1-2 King James Version

1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.


Psalm 133:1-3 King James Version

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.


1 Corinthians 13:1-13 King James Version

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.


Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 King James Version

1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.


Job 14:1-22 King James Version

1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.

2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

3 And doth thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.

7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:

12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.

18 And surely the mountains falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.

19 The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.

20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.

21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.

22 But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.


James 1:19-27 King James Version "On Listening and Doing"

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 2:14-26 King James Version "Faith and Deeds"

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Changes: "Is Freemasonry recognizable? " Author Unknown

"Good Day Brethren,

At the end of one of my previous meetings, I had the privilege to speak with our Assistant District Deputy and a Past Master of our lodge about the "subtle" or "drastic" changes that have occurred within our Order over the Level of Time.

As I had stated within the conversation between the two gentlemen, "...as generations and time has passed, the Secretary's desk has went from quill pens and parchment paper to laptops and Word documents."

"Our Tapers have gone from real burning flames to electric orange flames,that have a strange back-alley-late-night-neon-sign flicker."

Times have changed, people have changed, methods have changed, but the message should always remain the same.

Granted,Freemasonry is a personal travel and a means for personal growth, but whatever happened to the collective growth as a whole? Or, did it ever existed at one point in time?

A student of history must go through many lessons and lectures before he becomes rightfully degreed as a historian. In reward of his countless hours of personal study, he may thus begin his work as an archaeologist. As an archaeologist, he cannot excavate a site by himself. In addition to the knowledge gained by his personal studies, he still needs to have a team of experts (nice synonym would be Masters) that will assist him with the dig. Now due to the fact that they are working together, more ground can be covered and more treasures can potentially be found.

A student of the Craft must go through many lessons and lectures before he becomes rightfully degreed as a Mason. In reward of his countless hours of personal study,he may thus begin his work as a Master. As Gnostic archaeologists, we cannot excavate a site by ourselves; we need a team of Masters (nice synonym would be Brothers) that will assist each of us with our prospective digs. As we begin to dig or search together, more texts can be covered and more esoteric knowledge (a Freemason's treasure) that is buried beneath spiritual truths can potentially be found.

I asked the question "Is Freemasonry recognizable? " because I wonder...how many older Brothers of our Craft may or may not show up to Lodge meetings because Freemasonry of today is not recognizable to them? There are no fraternal excavations at the current moment. What keeps anarchaeologist and his team excited and ready to work is simply the hunt for the possibility of treasure. Have all the treasures of Freemasonry been found that only social celebrations of the findings from the past take place?

I'm almost certain that everyone is aware that it is quite evident that a temple needs the Cap-stone just as much as it needs the Corner-stone. The Temple needs the older Brothers just as much as the newer Brothers. The Craft needs Brethren, who are well traveled, to guide and point in the direction the younger Brethren(like myself). Now, whether one takes the path that is less travelled or well travelled will be up to those that were given the direction. The truth is, both paths have been travelled; those Brethren who are familiar with those paths (whether unpopular or popular) can serve as a trust-worthy guide. These path or paths could be equated with Fraternal Knowledge.

I have a few questions that I would like to pose; some questions may pertain to you, while some may not, while there's a chance that you may be able to answer each of the questions respectively. So for the "Older Brothers," "Younger Brothers," or rather all Brethren that have sought the Light of Freemasonry:

1. What has changed (good or bad) in your eyes over the course of time?

2. What do you miss the most about the Craft that doesn't take place anymore?

3. What is your opinion of the Brothers of today as in contrast to those when you were Initiated, Passed and Raised?

4. What did it mean to be a Freemason "back in your day?"

5. What is your perspective on the Fraternity as a whole?

6. Is your perception of the Craft the same as it was when you first were made a Mason?

7. Is Freemasonry what you thought it would be?

A) If it is, what does Freemasonry mean to you?

B) If not, what did you expect Freemasonry to be?

"...for the man who thinks that because he hath been made a Mason, and is
called so, and at the same time will willfully neglect to attend his
Lodge, he may be assured he will never make a good Mason, nor ought he
to be looked upon as a good member of the craft. For if his example was
followed, where would be the Lodge...."

Quote above by Bro Prince Hall, A Charge Delivered To the Brethren of African Lodge No 1, 25th June 1792(Boston: Bible and Heart, 1792).

Part 1 - Philippine Masonry History Tidbits: Gran Oriente Español & Silanganan Lodge No 19

Fraternal Greetings!

I was lucky enough to have a communication with the representative of Gran Español (Gran Oriente Español) in Spain, RW Ramon Soler - Asistente Gran Maestro DGM. It was a pity that I failed to meet him during his visit here last year. Kuya Harry Gonzales was a key for that breakthrough.

Before I made a communication with RW Ramon, I asked MW Jimmy Gonzales for advise to be sure. As usual, MW Jimmy was prompt and kind to assist and said that we indeed have a Masonic relationship with them.

RW Ramon is really looking for their long lost lodges here. Spain's Masonic History is literally painted in blood. Almost all of their records were confiscated and burned! MMs (Master Masons) wew arrested and some were killed. In effect, what they have of Philippine lodges are just in memory.

The reason I was looking for them was due to the the 100th year Anniversary of Silanganan 19 August this year (2008), of which I was the WM last year. I felt as if I found a long lost mother! We were one of the original members of Gran España (Gran Oriente Español) here.

I hope that we can rekindle our roots in Philippine Masonry and have peace and harmony with other lodges. May God bless us all.

(Via email by WB Jose Jonathan Ramires Atienza Roasario, Pasig, PM Silanganan 19, Dapitan 21 ML).

For a brief history of the Grand Lodge of Spain, please click main title or here.

The Intolerance of "Intolerance" By W. Bro. C Shawn Oak

"If brotherly love, relief, and truth are the foundation stones of Freemasonry, tolerance is the cement that unites them. Yet, in a world that has recorded and/or witnessed increasing tolerance, we as Freemasons are intolerant of much. In many ways, the unacceptable level of intolerance within our lodges makes sense when we observe the efforts to maintain the current status quo. "

This is just one of the many articles and essays at Masonic Dictionary web site. I managed to stumble across this site because I was looking for Masonic meanings and specifically, the meaning of "conversing Masonically". What does it really mean? If you know or have an idea, please share it with me.

To read above full article, please click main title. To read all the other articles and essays on this site, please click on Masonic Dictionary or here.

While the contents of the essays I've read are very good, I can't verify the rest of the articles. So, as always, please read, understand and differentiate or discriminate. Take only what you feel and believe is true.

Happy reading!

The Lodge Builder: George Washington's Birthday by Bro Ed Halpaus

"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." George Washington

"Today, if I get this sent in time, is February 29th, the last day of the month in which Freemasons traditionally commemorate the birth of our Brother and first President of the United States, George Washington.

Brother Washington's life has been studied and written about for so many years, (February 22, 2009 will be the 277th anniversary of his accepted birth date,) that there is very little, if anything, about his life that is not well known by most Americans. However, recently http://liberty- tree.ca sent out a quote attributed to Brother Washington that was new to me.

When we read in some of the old reliable books that almost every Masonic Lodge has in it's library for reference books, such as Mackey's revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry or in Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia, we can look up information about the Illuminati, which was a relatively short lived group, and which is unfortunately linked to Freemasonry by some, if not many, of our critics and enemies. Well this quote from Brother Washington is one where he had something to say about the Illuminati, here's the quote:

"It is not my intention to doubt that the doctrine of the Illuminati and the principles of Jacobinism had not spread in the United States. On the contrary, no one is more satisfied of this fact than I am.The idea that I meant to convey, was, that I did not believe that the Lodges of Free Masons in this Country had, as Societies, endeavored to propagate the diabolical tenets of the first, or pernicious principles of the latter (if they are susceptible of separation). That Individuals of them may have done it, or that the founder, or instrument employed to found, the Democratic Societies in the United States, may have had these objects; and actually had a separation of the People from their Government in view, is too evident to be questioned."

George Washington (1732-1799) Freemason. Source: Letter to George Washington Snyder, October 24, 1798, Mount Vernon. Washington acknowledged that the Illuminati had begun actively recruiting members from within the American lodges of Freemasonry.

"There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation." George Washington"

For more articles regarding Lodge Building, please click main title or here. Also you can read past articles by Bro Ed Halpaus at http://www.halpaus.net