From ???@??? Thu Feb 11 23:09:11 1999
W Bro Duncan

Thanks for your suggestions, another Bro has also suggested Red Cross
of Constantine to me ( A Cheshire Mason in fact).  Due to my interest
in the development, and esoteric aspects of Free-Masonry my leanings
have been to the more mystical orders.  As I understand it the KT
degrees are more militant in their nature so have not really looked in
that direction.

I'm looking at joining a local SRIA college this year, then probably
nothing else until I'm past the Chair.  I'm SD this year, so that'll
be another 3 or 4 years.

S&F

Alistair L Rae MM
Union of Malta Lodge No 407, UGLE
William Kingston Chapter RA No 407, SGRAC
QCCC

From ???@??? Sat Feb 13 06:51:57 1999
Hi

I have a question which someone may be able to answer.

How does one address a female Freemason?

Thanks in advance

Alistair L Rae


From ???@??? Sat Feb 13 06:52:00 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Correct Terminology

From: weaver 
It varies. In some Lodges "Sister" is used, in some "Brother" is used.
Its best to ask the individual.

S&F,
Peggy Butera, MM JD
Order of International Co-Free-Masonry, Le Droit Humain
Atlanta 583
http://comasonic.org

From ???@??? Sun Feb 14 19:59:03 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Correct Terminology

From: alberto vallini 

In italy we use sister. 
brief reply, but effective :-)

If you are asking for more technical terms, maybe eastern star could be one of
the most used (if applies)

From ???@??? Sun Feb 14 20:01:01 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Correct Terminology

From: "Elisha Pendleton" 

Being a female involved in Free-Masonry, I prefer to be called an Eastern
Star.

From ???@??? Sun Feb 14 20:01:12 1999
From: Ralph and Laura Rostas

Hello Mam. In TN, women are not, and cannot be Masons.

From ???@??? Sun Feb 14 20:01:25 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: confused

From: "Duncan J. Moore" 

Dear Alistair,

You'll certainly find plenty of mysticism to enjoy in the SRIA. As to KT, I
think military, rather than militant. I live in Liverpool and the latter
word has horrendous connotations ! I wish you all the luck in the world in
your progress towards the Chair.

Do you know the origin of the name of your lodge (407) it sounds
interesting. I notice also you have a Chapter attached which bears a
different name from that of the lodge. This is quite legal - they only have
to sare the same number - but comparativley unusual. Do you know the reasin
for it ?

s & f

Duncan

From ???@??? Mon Feb 15 20:14:50 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Knight, Lomas, and the Mason Word

From: "david rodgers" 

Greetings,
           I read "The hiram Key" by Knight & Lomas when it was 
published about two years ago, and one claim they made has perplexed me 
to this day. On page 143 they state that the Word given the candidate 
during the raising ceremony is actually a couple Egyption phrases. They 
record it as: Ma'at-neb-men-aa, ma'at-ba-aa. It supposedly translates 
into: Great is the established master of Free-Masonry, great is the 
spirit of Free-Masonry. 
      I am a mason, but neither the above phrase nor anything resembling 
it was given me upon my raising. Are Knight and Lomas pulling my leg? 

David Rodgers

From ???@??? Mon Feb 15 20:16:10 1999
From: "Duncan J. Moore" 
Dear David,

I think from the words used in the Hebrew language, in Kosher lodges the
prefix Ma'at means
slain or smitten.

Duncan Moore

From ???@??? Mon Feb 15 20:37:28 1999
From: alberto vallini 

Hallo,
uhm as for the email quoted below I never heard such a word in italian Free
masonry at least. I know it is of no help, but at least here in Italy no such
word has ever existed within the main masonic family.
Ma'at exists in the egyptian religion, and it should be the feather posed on
the balance to weight the souls when trespassed: if the soul is heavier than
the feather, the soul is sent to hell, say... It is rather suggestive, but as
far as free Masonry is concerned, it is the first time I hear of this
terminology ascribed to masonic rituals of any kind.
Obviously, it is possible that in some rituals it is included: in the scottish
rite we take into consideration only the 4°, 9°, 18°, 30°, 31°,32°,33°
degrees,
so it is possible that within the 26 degrees left whose rituals are not
enacted
the word is present, as it is possible as well that it's included in some
other
rite: I dunno more, unless Knight adn Lomas were just referring to the 26
scottish degrees quoted above (each of them has its own words).
Obviously, it is quite possible that in the rite of Memphis and Misraim, which
deeply resorts to the egyptian tradition, it is present, so I would drop bet a
cent  that Knight and Lomas were referring to the rising within this very
specific rite.

From ???@??? Tue Feb 16 01:06:43 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Knight, Lomas, and the Mason Word

From: "Duncan J. Moore" 

I doubt if K & L know much about Scottish Rite Masonry. They're not
particularly skilled in the English Craft.

Regards

Duncan

From ???@??? Wed Feb 17 04:03:16 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Correct Terminology

From: weaver 

>>From: Ralph and Laura Rostas

Hello Mam. In TN, women are not, and cannot be Masons.
Well, aside from being Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason I've
also built a brick oven, so I'm a Mason as well as a Freemason.

Have a nice day :-)

S&F,
Peggy Butera, MM JD
Order of International Co-Free-Masonry, Le Droit Humain
Atlanta 583
http://comasonic.org

From ???@??? Wed Feb 17 04:03:33 1999
Dear Peggy, I think they are referring to Grand Lodge of Tennessee which of
course as with Grand Lodge of California considers Co-Masonry to be
Clandestine. Possibly in time things will change but rememeber that we must
obey the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of which we are a member.
Bro. Ralph is a good man and a good Mason and I am sure that he as I do
appreciate any person that is willing to live by Masonic Principles. I know
that you believe in Masonry and what it stands for and live by Masonic
principles. I can't argue with that and respect you for it.. I have met and
sat to lunch with a member of OEs from Burbank, Ca that was also a member of
Co-Masonry. She has since passed way. I would not discuss Masonry with her in
detail but we shared our thougths on life and Masonry in general. I know you
understand and respect our position.


God Bless
Sincerely & Respectfully
Bro. MAnny Blanco  (Junior Warden)
Moreno Valley Lodge # 804
Moreno Valley, CA
Jurisdiction of Grand Lodge of California

From ???@??? Wed Feb 17 04:03:36 1999
From: "maas" 

I just read this in the archives (sorry I am a little slow in reading the
list), but this seems very odd to me.  Is this practiced only in TN or is it
common elsewhere?  This is the first I have heard of it.  What is the
reasoning behind it?

From ???@??? Wed Feb 17 04:03:40 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Correct Terminology

From: JC LANOT

>How does one address a female Freemason?
In France, wether in in women's Lodges or in men/women Lodges they use Sister.

From ???@??? Wed Feb 17 04:03:59 1999
Hi

K&L show a disturbing lack of knowledge of how Free-Masonry is
organised.  The distinction between Craft FM, and the appendant
degrees is hazy.  Their list of degrees available in the UK is wrong.

Terms are used interchangably to refer to diferrent orders, and as a
result there is a large amount of confusion for the knolwegable Mason.

HAving been Initiated, passed and raised in England, the exemplar in
an Irish Raising and witnessed a number of Scottish raisings I am in
no doubt that K&L have become confused, and convinced themselves of
how wonderful their theories are.  The conclusion regarding the 3rd
Degree words is applicable only to English Masonry.

The books contain some interesting theories, but the lack of academic
rigour condemns them to the bottom of the pile as far as educational
texts is concerned.  there is some interstig and educational content,
but filtering it from the tripe is difficult and time consuming.

Alistair Rae MM
UGLE

From ???@??? Wed Feb 17 04:04:29 1999
That's very interesting. I thought the MM word of UGLE was the 
same as in American lodges. I realize that the Modern lodges of the 18th 
century changed the word to confound Ancients, but as to the actual word 
they used, I have no knowledge. Logic would indicate that whatever word 
they substituted for the original, there would have been no connection 
to Egypt as it was an innovation. Perhaps the original word was restored 
after the Union of Moderns and Ancients. However, if that's the case, we 
in America do not possess the original word (that is, the original 
substitute as per the ritual.)

DWR

From ???@??? Fri Feb 19 01:22:12 1999
The words of the 3rd degree are directly pertinent to the death of HA
in the third Degree ritual, so I would be surprised if there is a
significant difference between the UK and the USA.  The words used in
the three home constittions are not greatly different, but enough to
dicredit the K&L theories.

AFAIK the third degree words have never been changed, however the
words for the first and second were changed around to distinguish
between Antients and Moderns.  I don't think they have were changed
back after the Union so AFAIK our 1st and 2nd words are the opposite
to those used in the US.

It gets difficult to discuss this when one cannot use the words we
refer to, but we have been obligated not to divulge them.

Alistair L Rae MM
Union of Malta Lodge No 407, UGLE
William Kingston Chapter RA No 407, SGRAC
QCCC
ALRae@iee.org
alistair.rae@bcs.org.uk 
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----

From ???@??? Fri Feb 19 01:22:16 1999
Lodge Union of Malta was formed in 1831 in Valletta, Malta, as a fixed
Military Lodge.  Malta having been a significant site for Naval
activity this was the main membership.  During the Crimean war all of
the Officers of the Scots Guards were initiated on their way down
there.  A VSL was presented by those Officers, and is still used
today.

When the practice of Free-Masonry was banned in Malta in the late
1970's the Lodge was moved back to the UK, opening in Petersfield in
1981.  Our current Sec was instremental in finding our new home at the
time.  Some of the members were initially Initiated in Malta, and many
are associated with the Royal Navy, or the Ministry of Defence.

Free-Masonry is now allowed in Malta and there are lodges there from
all three home GL's, our Tyler visits out there every year, and
generally tries to attend a meeting.

The name went through a number of changes including Union Lodge of
Malta, Union Lodge and others.  Again in Malta bodies were not allowed
to use 'Malta' within their title without official permission, so the
Malta was dropped, until shortly before the return to the UK.

>I notice also you have a Chapter attached which bears a
>different name from that of the lodge. This is quite legal - they
only have
>to sare the same number - but comparativley unusual. Do you know the
reasin
>for it ?

I'm afraid I don't know.  The Chapter was consecrated in 1880, again
in Malta, and transferred to England in 1981

Yours Aye

Alistair L Rae MM
Union of Malta Lodge No 407, UGLE
William Kingston Chapter RA No 407, SGRAC
QCCC

From ???@??? Fri Feb 19 01:22:26 1999
excuse 4 replies aol is acting up and sending mail befor i can write
anything....it now takes 5 ries to send one reply.... 
My  qustion is   why was freemasonery banned in malta in 1970's???? 

bea.

From ???@??? Fri Feb 19 01:24:21 1999
Hi

I'm afraid I don't know for sure, I only joined the Lodge in '95. 
AFAIK during the mid 70's there was a totalitarian regime in
government (communist I think) and as a reuslt Free-Masonry was banned.
 This only lasted a couple of years, but as a result of this, and the
British Military withdrawal from Malta the Lodge moved.  We are no
longer a military lodge, our most recent members being an insurance
assessor, and a computer programmer.

Alistair L Rae MM
Union of Malta Lodge No 407, UGLE
William Kingston Chapter RA No 407, SGRAC
QCCC


From ???@??? Sun Feb 21 22:13:03 1999
That takes us back to square one. Earlier you claimed that K&L's theory 
was applicable to English masonry. Now it sounds like you're backing out 
of that position. If our MM words are the same then K&L are full of hot 
air. They may not be guilty of breaking their oaths as masons by 
revealing the word to the general public, though they claim it IS the 
word, but they distinguish themselves by such un-masonic behavior.

DWR

From ???@??? Sun Feb 21 22:13:05 1999
From: Cameron Brickey 

I joined this news group some time ago and it is sent directly to my
mail box.  Your discussion has my attention, but I'm afraid I missed
the beginning.

From ???@??? Sun Feb 21 22:13:08 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Knight, Lomas, and the Mason Word

From: 

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

David

I haven't stored the previous posts so I can't review what I said, but
I have been involved in sufficient discussion of Knight and Lomas to
have a fair idea.

WRT applicability to English Free-Masonry, K&L appear completely
unaware of the differences in Masonic organisation around the world,
assuming that the  organisation where there are 3 craft degrees
closely associated with the HRA was the same throughout the world.  It
is not.  In the USA the HRA is one of the final aspects of York Rite. 
In this sense K&L's theories apply only to English Free-Masonry.  They
have taken the specific case and generalised it without examining the
facts.  Their theories apply only to the organisation of Free-Masonry
under UGLE, becasue they heve not bothered to validate their
information against any other standards.

In addition K&L appear unaware of the distinction between craft
Free-Masonry and Scottish Rite, or Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite,
which is a formation of 33 degrees and completely sperate from the
craft.  Thier theories apply  to craft Free-Masonry under UGLE.

It is also worth noting that Fremmasonry first originated in an
organised form in Scotland and England, and that in europe and the
Americas is derived from that.  Therefore the content will have
similarites, although not all of the structure.  Both develop over
time and will diverge without a degree of centralised control.  The
similarities are in the fundementals like the words.

I don't know the word used in the USA, but since in the UK it is
directly related to HA's situation during the degree I would be
surprised if it is all that different.  Under UGLE there are two
words, under GL Ireland there is only one of these, with a different
pronunciation, the meaning is the same.  In Scotland there are again
two, very similar to the English, but not exactly the same.

By claiming to reveal the word, whether it is or not, they lay
themselves open to the penalties of their obligations.  These
penalties are that they are no longer fit and proper men to be Masons
and they should not be considered as men of honour.

I'm sorry that my meaning has become garbled during this thread, but I
hope I have clarified my thinking on this issue.

Yours Aye

Alistair L Rae MM
Union of Malta Lodge No 407, UGLE
William Kingston Chapter RA No 407, SGRAC
QCCC

From ???@??? Sun Feb 21 22:34:43 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: [eGroups_moderators] virus Alert

From: alberto vallini 
>From: eGroups Tech Support 
>
>
>Hello,
>
>Recently there have been several reports of a virus being passed through
>lists in attachments. The virus, called Happy99, modifies infected 
>computers so that they spread the virus to other computers through email 
>attachments.
>
>For more information on this particular virus, and how to remove it, visit 
>the following web page:
>
>
>      http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/happy99.worm.html
>
>
>This is a good time to remind people that, in general, they should not 
>open email attachments or run programs from people they do not know. That 
>is how this and other viruses are spread.
>
>Thanks,
>
>
>The eGroups Team

From ???@??? Tue Feb 23 03:00:15 1999
From: Cameron Brickey 

I have virus protection software that came on my basic Norton kit. 
Won't that detect these viruses?  How can you tell if you have one??

From ???@??? Tue Feb 23 21:32:03 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: [eGroups_moderators] virus Alert

From: Tejinder Singh Rawal 

It will, if the virus definition has been updated. happy99.exe is a very
recent worm.

Tejinder

From ???@??? Tue Feb 23 21:32:08 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: [eGroups_moderators] virus Alert

From: Gianni Fernandes
Hello friends!

Please pay attention to all the messages you receive...
A particular thank to brother Vallini who gave the virus alert through
eGroups.... 
This morning I received a message with the attachment  HAPPY99.EXE and I
deleted it immediately.

Sincerly

Gianni Fernandes

From ???@??? Tue Feb 23 21:32:20 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: [eGroups_moderators] virus Alert

From: Cameron Brickey

Well, I updated shortly after I got your post.  Thanks for the update,
Brother.

Cameron Brickey

From ???@??? Tue Feb 23 21:51:40 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: [eGroups_moderators] virus Alert : updating makes NOT you  safe yet

From: alberto vallini 

Hallo,

please note that any update of your anti virus database (which can be made
automatically on the net at least if you run McAfee or Norton) canNOT be
regarded as a definitive solution to this virus YET.

The virus has been discovered two weeks ago so it is unlikely that the recent
updates released by the major companies still include its pattern. So please:
update again in three months and that you will be surely covered (technically,
it is possible to scan the DAT files to ascertain wheather the happy99
virus is
included, but i repeat: it is unlikely it is yet, it's too early).

So update every three months and for the following three months take care: you
are STILL vulnerable to the virus (which, anyway, is not a dramatic one: it
simplies sends itself like an attachment with EACH email you send and forces
any receiver to reproduce the same pattern: re-sendind endlessly itself with
any email).

Note also that it is very likely that who sent to you the virus is COMPLETELY
unaware he did. Warn him/her immediatly that he/she got his/her pc infected if
so and quote this url:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/happy99.worm.html

From ???@??? Fri Feb 26 01:59:41 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: [eGroups_moderators] virus Alert : updating makes NOT you  safe yet

From: Cameron Brickey 

Ok.  The next big question is, how do I know when I've got it??

From ???@??? Fri Feb 26 01:59:58 1999
From: Tejinder Singh Rawal 

this worm comes as an attachment with a mail with no subject. The file is
named happy99.exe . 


Tejinder

From ???@??? Thu Mar 04 23:14:30 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Visiting Scotland

From: "Gordon Vincent" 


Are any English speaking Freemasons of Provincial Grand rank or above, Blue
Lodge or Royal Arch, contemplating visiting Scotland in May 2001.

WFR

Gordon Vincent

From ???@??? Thu Mar 04 23:14:32 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Welcome to Free-Masonry@eGroups.com

From: Andre 

Hi

I am new to this list. 

I would like to hear opinions about the "lost word" and the "tracing
board".

Regards
andre

From ???@??? Thu Mar 04 23:15:01 1999

Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Welcome to Free-Masonry@eGroups.com

From: Cameron Brickey 

Well, that's a big request, Andre.  What's your take on the "lost
word", and the "tracing board"?  Or perhaps you can tell us what you
know so far.

From ???@??? Thu Mar 04 23:16:23 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Welcome to Free-Masonry@eGroups.com

From: William Ward

Hello,

I'm new to this list and have been a Mason for only two years.  The American
York Rite claims to have the resored word in their Council degrees.  I'd
like to hear opinions on that, particulary from the British subscribers.

Bill

From ???@??? Thu Mar 04 23:17:03 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Welcome to Free-Masonry@eGroups.com

From: Cameron Brickey

Why did you become a mason, Bill?

From ???@??? Sat Mar 06 15:28:16 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Welcome to Free-Masonry@eGroups.com

From: William Ward 

Good question.  Perhaps the real question is why did I remain a Mason.  I
became a Mason because my Father, Grandfathers, their Fathers, etc. were
Masons.  Not a good reason, I know, but I found I actually liked it.  The
rites are thought provoking and represent a period of history that is very
interesting to me.  My maternal great-Grandfather had a saying that would
make our detractors foam at the mouth, as well as a few Masons:  "Masonry IS
my religion", he'd say.  Sometimes I think he was really on to something.
I'd rather go to Lodge than any Church I've ever visited.  In Lodge you are
allowed to use your brain, i.e. apply reason and logic.  Few Churches would
permit such a thing.  "Lack of faith" they'd call it.

I'm confident that there are many brothers who feel the same way.  Few would
dare admit it, though.  It's interesting.

Are you a Mason, Cameron?  If so, what's your story?

Bill

From ???@??? Sat Mar 06 15:28:18 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Secrecy

From: Andre
It has been about 15 years since I entered a masonic lodge, and I have
no intention of entering one again. But I do believe that certain things
are private, in that it removes the sense of achievement when one
discovers, through understanding, something yourself.

I also believe that Free-Masonry has been crippled by too many who have
their own agendas, most often driven by Ego. My interest is the masonic
link with Ancient Egypt, too often ignored by the ritualists.

If I recall, the tracing board is the tiled, centre portion of a lodge.
Is this correct?

Regards
andre

From ???@??? Sat Mar 06 15:28:42 1999
Subject: [Free-Masonry] Re: Secrecy

From: Cameron Brickey 

---Andre wrote:
> It has been about 15 years since I entered a masonic lodge, and I have
> no intention of entering one again.

Tell me about this, Andre.  It seems so unfortunate.

> But I do believe that certain things
> are private, in that it removes the sense of achievement when one
> discovers, through understanding, something yourself.

You are very well spoken here, Andre.  Independant research can be
very rewarding.

> I also believe that Free-Masonry has been crippled by too many who have
> their own agendas, most often driven by Ego. My interest is the
masonic
> link with Ancient Egypt, too often ignored by the ritualists.

I agree.  Like many groups, Masonry is affected by members that do not
have a clear concept, or regard for its goals.  Perhaps crippled is
too strong a word here.

> If I recall, the tracing board is the tiled, centre portion of a
lodge.
> Is this correct?

Yes, this is a very good description of a tracing board.