Short Talk Bulletin

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Houston Brian, PGM - AK, and is brought to us by WBro Zachary Cote, WM - Freeport #23, Freeport ME. This Short Talk was adapted from a paper presented by MW Bro Brian at the 1969 Southwestern Conference on Masonic Education. With our population increasing rapidly, it would seem that membership in Masonry would also be increasing steadily. However, in most grand jurisdictions, we find year after year an alarming loss in membership. Here, we find an excellent response to this problem. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Herbert A. Ronin, PGM - NE, and is brought to us by WBro Bernard Mulholland, PM - Deering #183, Portland ME. It has been adapted from a paper, “A Sketch of Freemasonry,” which Most Worshipful Brother Ronin prepared for the Scottish Rite several years ago. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Conrad Hahn, and is brought to us by WBro Bernard Mulholland, PM - Deering #183, Portland ME. The summer recess is over. Secretaries are busy again, keeping the minutes of meetings up-to-date. For each communication they will put a number in the blank space of the sentence that forms our title, or make note of the register that lists those in attendance. Why is this important? Here we find an excellent answer to that question. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl Claudy, and is brought to us by VW Bro Ambrose Dawson, DER 14th ME. Every Grand Lodge has some system of Lodge inspection or instruction, and these systems are known by many names. In this season of inspections (my own Lodge inspection is coming up soon), may we recognize and appreciate the work of Lodge and District officers who exemplify this work. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro Keith Arrington, Past Assistant Grand Librarian, GL - IA, and is brought to us by Bro Kyle Kemph, Solar Star #14, Bath ME. Tradition has it that in ancient times, Masons met on the highest hill and in the lowest vales to secure privacy. The tradition alone has been sufficient to stir the imaginations of modern Masons, with the result that Masonic meetings have been held in many “strange and weird places.” We thank Brother Arrington for this discussion of open-air meetings.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro Charles A. Hansen, GSt - WI, and is brought to us by RW Bro Ambrose Dawson, DER 14th, ME. Bro Hansen prepared this Short Talk for the twelfth Midwest Conference on Masonic Education held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, October 20–21, 1961, and had been asked to present the negative side of a proposed debate. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro and Dr Gary Leazer, an ordained Baptist minister, and is brought to us by Bro Kyle Kempf, Solar Star #14, Bath ME. Many times religious criticism of Freemasonry centers around the so-called “Mystery Religions.” This is nothing more than an attempt by anti-Masons to link Freemasonry with religions from ancient times, then calling Masons “pagans.” The author has prepared this STB for MSA, tracing the history of the Mystery Religions and their influence on the Christian faith. There is no connection between Freemasonry and the “Mystery Religions.“ Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Il Bro Norris G. Abbot, 33rd, GH - RI, and is brought to us by Bro Galen Burke, JD - Rising Virtue #10, Bangor ME. In the frustrating days before the Declaration of Independence was signed, Rhode Island became the first independent sovereign state in the New World. She promptly responded to a call for a General Congress, and Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery were sent as delegates to forcefully urge the adoption of independence by all the colonies. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode is from the golden pen of Bro Carl H. Claudy, and is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, PGM - CA. The Freemasonry we know is a development of speculative teaching from an operative craft. It could not, therefore, have been other than repository for architectural allusions. It could not have evolved from stone cutting and setting into a society teaching a moral philosophy, without using the familiar tools and work of everyday as illustrations of her purposes. Here we find an excellent treatise concerning two of her ancient symbols. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro Allen E. Roberts, and is brought to us by Bro Galen Burke, JD at Rising Virtue #10, Bangor ME. Why does one lodge grow and another stand still? Why is one lodge active while another stagnates? Why does one lodge have an overflow attendance, and another can’t find enough men to confer a degree? The reason, Ted Gray determined, was effective planning. With it there is no limit to the growth of a lodge or any organization; without it there can be but failure. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.