SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING ~~ m™ The secret remains safe with the freemasons Zp master mason. “You have to be a master “WE'RE JUST like the guy next door.”’ By Barbara Black News Reporter That may not be the public’s perception of a freemason, but the mystique surrounding the ‘‘secret’’ fraternity of freemasons has fuel- ed a host of interpretations over the years. Freemasonry can be traced back to Solomon’s building of the Temple and to the guilds of Me- dieval stone masons. This is called ‘operative’? masonry, the actual art of building. Today’s freemasonry is essen- tially a philanthropic fraternity. It is classed as ‘‘speculative,”? a tradition that goes back to the 18th century, says Bill Sterling, grand secretary of the B.C. Grand Lodge of masons. Speculative freemasonry was originally linked with the moral and mystical interpretation of a building, but is now more com- monly associated with certain esoteric rites and teachings. But even today’s masons have little to do with esoteric teachings and practices, asserts Sterling. North Vancouver's Ed McKay, @ seven-year member of the loca! Duke of Connaught Lodge, describes freemasonry as an at- tempt ‘'to make a good man bet- ter.” On Jan. 21 McKay was installed as that lodge’s worshipful master — a rather noble nomenclature for someone who is essentially the ‘‘president’’ of the lodge. The position comes with its own par- ticular garb —- gauntlets and a chain of office, as well as a whole new set of lines to remember dur- ing ceremonies, McKay relates. The worshipful master, explains McKay, rules and governs the lodge for one year. It is an elected office. To arrive at this station McKay had to pass through three craft degrees or stages of initiation: entered apprentice; fellow; and COLONY FEATURES THE | KitchenAid REFRIGERATOR x Bottom mount freezer x Porcelain-on-steel interior * Coil-free back * Roller-glide porcelain crispers COLO HOME FURNISHINGS 1075 Roosevelt Crescent North Vancouver {2 blocks behind the Avalon Hotel) OPEN DAILY; Fri. 9-9; Sun. 12-4 985-8738 mason before you can go through the various chairs as secretary, treasurer, etc.,’? says McKay, who really could be the guy next door. “Once you are a master mason you can work from the third to the 32nd degrees. After the 32nd degree you can enter the Shrine... I've gone through all the chairs — there are about 12 main functions — tight ap to worshipful master.”’ McKay says that as ‘speculative’? masons, ‘‘we use everything symbolically, the in- struments and tools. There’s a lot of memory work, you have to memorize all the rituals and what you say with them,’’ he admits. Although he could not divulge the nature of these rituals or what is required at each stage of initia- tion (he only finds out when he is at each stage), he maintained that there is very little ‘‘secret’’ about freemasons. What he means, one suspects, is that, should the secret aspects be known most peopie would not be aghast. Sterling agrees that the greatest misconception about masons is the secrecy. ‘‘“Chere’s really not much secret about it,’? he said, ‘‘we don’t ride goats or anything like that,’’ he chortles. Despite any secrecy inside the meetings, masons are known for their charity work in the province as well as for supplying grants to organizations. ““We have five cars that are us- ed for the Canadian Cancer Socie- ty to transfer patients to and from clinics — the B.C. Lodges pur- chased them. And there’s a dispatch office with service all over the Vancouver area,’’ says McKay. In addition to volunteer driving for the cancer society McKay spent several seasons doing volun- teer ski patrol on Seymour Moun- . tain. “Pve always liked to help peo- ple. 1 think we're (masons) all like that.”* McKay says his uncle inspired him to join the freemasons. “He had the biggest heart you ever saw. And so I started asking questions,’’ which led to interest and membership in the North Vancouver lodge. Although freemasonry is not a religion, it does emphasize ethics and makes reference to God as ‘*architect.”’ But grand secretary Sterling points out that membership is open to people of almost any LOCAL FREEMASON Ed McKay wes installed as the worshipful master at the North Vancouver Duke of Connaught Lodge on Jan. 21. McKay has been a mason for seven years and is also a volunteer driver for the Canadian Cancer Society. "NEWS photo Terry Petara feligious affiliation ‘‘as long as they believe in a supreme be- ing...freemasons can include Moslems, Buddhists, Christians, Jews...’" Sterling is a Christian himself and says that his Christianity is not “‘diiuted’’ by belonging to the masons. He estimates B.C. membership in masonic societies to be between 19,000 and 20,000. INSTALLED SHOCKS HEAVY-DUTY SHOCK ABSORBERS improve your vehicle’s ride and hendiing LIFETIME WARRANTY! 6 G Fai Most Cars Shocks and installation are guaranteed for as long as you own your vehicle, when the work is performed in one of our Auto Centres. Sale prices in effect Feb. 2 - 8, 1992 * Based on national indepenaent surveys of total visits made to auto service centres for ten major services In Canada, by ISt. Internationa! Surveys Ltd. (Jan. - Sapt. 1990) _ QUALIFIED TECHNICIANS * ‘COMPUTERIZED EQUIPMENT * NATIONWIDE WARRANTIES Available in Lower Mainland stores only North & West Vancouver School Districts SATURDAY WORKSHOPS Full day workshops include tunch Ail classes hold at the Lucas Centro 2132 Hamilton North Van. Sat., Feb. 8, 1992 Classes BIRD WATCHING TR78 (9-5:30pm) $26 COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY FS74 (9-4pm) $34 CRETACEOUS FOSSILS TR29 (8:30-5pm) $40 (Mect at Lucas Centre,then travel to Glacier, Washington. Lunch not included.) FLORAL CRAFTS CT26 (9-4pm) $34 FOOD IS NOT THE PROBLEM FS63 (9-4pm) $34 HOMEMADE BREAD CWw55 (8-4pm) $39 INFANT/CHILD CPR L$15 (9-1pm) $30° MARKETING YOURSELF il SC86 (2 sess. 9-4pm) $70 RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS ET62 (9-4pm) $34 SOUTH AMERICA TR30 (9-1pm) $16 STANDARD FIRST AID LS64 (2 sess. 8:30-4:30pm) $84 Pre-registration 986-8888