Episodes

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 questi...

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 ...

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 Arri...

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 Relig...

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 b...

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 illustration...

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; withou...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by WBro Allen E. Roberts of Virginia, and is brought to us by Bro Galen Burke, JD - Rising Virtue #10, Bangor ME. In 1972, the MSA endeavored to send to all of the constituent Lodges a series of Short Talks entitled More Light in Masonry, the general title adopted for this program of Masonic culture, education, information, instruction – whatever word is preferred for the Masonic term, “a search for light.” This is the first of that ...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode is from the golden pen of MW Bro Carl H. Claudy, and was first published in July of 1957. "A beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols..." has become so much a part of the imaginative and inspirational Masonic speaking that is has become largely unquestioned. Here, we find an excellent discussion of symbols and their place in the Craft. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothe...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by RW Bro Alexander A. Bleimann, PDDGM, Editor of Publications and Fellow of the American Lodge of Research, New York, and is brought to us by WBro "Big Papa" TJ Olson, Somerset Lodge #34, Skowhegan ME. Frequently the MSA is asked about the connection between Freemasonry and the Society of the Cincinnati. Actually, there is none other than that many prominent military Freemasons (particularly of that time) belonged to both organizati...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Conrad Hahn, and is brought to us by WBro Bill Vivian, GP - ME. This year marks the 293rd Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It was formed during that historic period between the witch trials and the start of the Revolutionary War, and has been a part of the history of our nation. It has witnessed great strides in the development of society and history and particularly in the evolution of Freemasonry in the Un...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro John H. Watts, and is brought to us by Bro Brian Ellis, PGSD - ME. A recent Masonic Publication had the following item: "Cannibals do not eat clowns because they have a funny taste." There is a poem that has the following: “Little deeds of kindness, little grains of sand. . . .” Masonry has always been known for its little deeds of kindness, especially at a local level, long before the government took over many of the charitab...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode has been adapted from guidelines published by the Illinois Lodge of Research, and is brought to us by WBro "Big Papa" TJ Olson, Somerset Lodge #34, Skowhegan ME. Developing the ability to write a paper can be beneficial to a person in his vocation, in his church work, and in his community projects. There is great demand for persons who can do research work and write papers and make speeches within the Craft. Enjoy, and do share this and all of t...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl H. Claudy, and is brought to us by Bro Brian Ellis, PSGD - ME. What has become of the symbol of the Key in modern Freemasonry? It seems to have gone the way of the Skirret and Pencil, when we should celebrate it as one of our oldest and most enduring Symbol. Here we find some of the mythology of the Key, it's uses and meanings. Enjoy, and do share this and all of the 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 Bill Vivian, PGP - ME. The cost of independence for our forbears was great indeed, and they paid with their fortunes and lives. Here is some of that story. 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 a “Masonic Culture” handbook, issued by the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. We have extracted several items which came from the inspired pen of Brother MW William A. Carpenter written many years ago. They stand the test of time. 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 Michael Blum, Solar Star #14, Bath ME. Here we find an excellent discussion of that almost unanswerable question: did a form of Freemasonry exist in the city of York, England, in the year A.D. 926? 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 H. Claudy, and is brought to us by WBro Michael Blum, PM - Solar Star #14, Bath ME. The history of our gentle craft extends back into the mists of time, but real, solid evidence extends back to 1390, and the origin of our oldest document, the Regius Manuscript. Here is some of that story. 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 brought to us by Bro Mark Shilo, Philanthropic Lodge, Marblehead MA. This Short Talk is Part 2 on the life of George Washington. We again would like to thank the Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union and Mr. James Rees, Associate Director, for its preparation. 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 brought to us by Bro Mark Shilo, SD Philanthropic Lodge, Marblehead MA. George Washington has long been one of our greatest heroes. MSA is grateful to the Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union and Bro. James C. Rees, Associate Director, for preparing this Short Talk on the life of Washington. Mt. Vernon was loved by Washington, who spent all the time there he could, and he is here presented as a lover of the soil. Enjoy, and do share th...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Conrad Hahn, and is brought to us by VW Ambrose Dawson, DER 14th ME. There have been several 'definitive lists' of the members of the Continental Congress who belonged to our gentle fraternity. After much research, and to honor the 200th and 250th birthday of the United States, here is what we know: some delegates were definitely Masons; some were definitely not Masons, and some might have been. Enjoy, and do share this and...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl Claudy, and is brought to us by Bro Mark Shilo, SD at Philanthropic Lodge, Marblehead MA. One of the definitions of ‘paradox’ is a puzzling fact or object, and it is in that sense used here, speaking of the Lodge. 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 H. Claudy, and is brought to us by WBro Mattew Giguere, Master of Northern Star #28 ME and DRI 13th ME. In most Grand Lodges, the Master, a Past Master, or some brother appointed to the task delivers the Charge of the degree being conferred, which is usually an abbreviation by Thomas Smith Webb of the original charges, written by William Preston. Here, we find some of Bro Preston's story. Enjoy, and do share this and a...