Episodes

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Rev Dr and Bro Joseph Fort Newton, and first sent to all constituent Lodges of all of the member jurisdictions in May 1924. Along with the square, the compasses are one of our oldest symbols, and represents more and more as it is revealed throughout the degrees. Here, we dive into these representations, though we barely put a circle around much of importance. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your bro...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was prepared under the direction of Bro Clarence ‘Bud” Brown, president of the United States Chapel Historical Society and a member of Blanchester Lodge #191, Blanchester OH, and is brought to us by WBro W. Clayton Grimm, newly installed first time Master and 58 year-member of Village Lodge #26, Bowdoinham ME. There is a play, ‘Where Freedom Speaks’, that has been published by the Chapel Historical Society that is performed by youth groups acros...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by the Rev Dr and Bro Joseph Fort Newton and was first published in February 1925. In this season of renewal, let us take a look back at one of the fundamental symbols of our gentle Craft, and remind ourselves whence we came. 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 RW Bro Michael W. Walker, GS of the GL of Ireland, and is brought to us by VW Bro David Koncz, PM – United #8 ME. Upon his initiation, the brethren are assured that the candidate is living in good repute among his friends and neighbors. Later, upon being charged, he is exhorted to learn how to discharge his duties to his God, his neighbor, and himself; also to always demonstrate those truly Masonic characteristics of benevolence a...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast Episode is from the golden pen of Rev Dr Bro Joseph Fort Newton, first published in June 1923. Freemasonry has no greater name than Robert Burns. If there are those who question his investiture as Poet Laureate of the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, owing to the absence of certain documentary evidence, no one denies that he was, and is, the greatest poet of Freemasonry, the singer alike of its faith and its friendship, its philosophy and its fun, its passio...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Jeffrey Williamson, PGM – NY, and is brought to us by VW Bro David Koncz, PM – United #8 ME. We find ourselves at the start of a new year, and with that come new officers and new responsibilities. Some brothers serve their Lodges by accepting the next chair and traveling through the line. But does this engender leadership of our Craft? Or does it just lead to more continuing? Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcas...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written in 1980 by WBro Harry M. Lehrbach, editor of the Masonic Tribune in Seattle. At the time of his writing, WBro Lehrbach was struggling with the question of “Why?” with respect to his own Masonic journey. Besides being well worth the listen, this may shed some light on your own reasons for continuing to be a Mason. 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 Joseph J. Berlandi, Executive Secretary of the 32 Degree Learning Centers For Children and Scottish Rite NMJ, and is brought to us by Bro Matt Bower, Host of the Tyler’s Place Podcast for the Scottish Rite SMJ. “It was like watching a caterpillar become a butterfly before my eyes; a miraculous transformation had occurred.” That sentiment from a parent of a child with dyslexia being tutored, at one of our Children’s Learning Ce...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Donald W. Hensiak, PGM – WI, and is brought to us by VW Bro David Koncz, PM 0 United #8, Brunswick ME. With the advent of a new year, many of us will be moving to different chairs in our Lodges, whether that be moving up the line or covering a vacant chair, and with this comes new parts of the ritual for us to learn. Here, we find an excellent discussion of our memorization, and why we do it. Enjoy, and do share this and al...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by RW Bro Charles O. Bierkan, PDDGM – CT, and is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, PGM – CA. No city, save Jerusalem, interests Masons as much as Tyre, once the capital of Phoenicia. 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 was written by Rev Bro Jan L. Beaderstadt, a member and past master of Copper Country Lodge No. 135, Hancock, Michigan; a member and junior warden of Bowring Lodge No. 414, Standish, Michigan; and editor of the Michigan Masonic Publication, From Point-to-Pointe, and is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, PGM – CA. As a new entered apprentice, I stood and looked at that circle with the two parallel lines, and at my proficiency examination, re...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Joseph Fort Newton and first published in January 1924. We are all pilgrims travelling through time. As we reflect on the year past and anticipate the year to come, let us hear these timeless words that our brothers of 1924 heard, read aloud in Lodge, as relevant today as ever. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with everyone you know, and have a happy and joyous New Year.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Conrad Hahn, PES of the MSANA, and is brought to us by Bro Matt Bowers, host of the Scottish Rite Journal Podcast. Rudyard Kipling is one of the giants of modern English literary history. He towered over the closing years of the Victorian era, and lived well into the twentieth century. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

Brethren, as has become traditional at this time of year, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Dr Bro Joseph L. Blau in remembrance of his father. May we all receive the gift of Emmanu El, God with us, this season. 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 in 1975 by Rev Bro Oscar Alan Gwyn. On this winter Feast of St. John the Evangelist, let us remember why each of our Saints John so well represent the duality of our efforts in the Craft. While St. John the Baptist represents the fiery call to action (summer), St. John the Evangelist represents the contemplative writer and knowledge of faith (winter). Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and y...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW B. Stuart Parker, PGM – Manitoba, and was first delivered to a Communication of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota. Here, MW Bro Parker should like to attempt to sketch out his concept of the true heart of the Fraternity, the source of the power that Freemasonry has to develop such an intense loyalty in the hearts of the husbands and fathers and sons who are its members. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes w...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Bro Conrad Hahn, and first published in December 1964. In the Entered Apprentice degree, brotherly love, relief, and truth are described as the Tenets of the Fraternity, and this Bulletin is meant to instruct us about the second of these, Relief. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge, and do make this second tenet a rule and guide for your conduct.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by Rev Bro Harold L. Schieck, PGCh – PA, and is brought to us by VW Bro David Koncz, PM – United #8, Brunswick ME. Every Mason is asked this question as part of the initiatory degree. Here is the story of one man, and the impact this question had upon his life. 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 WBro Alan E. Roberts, Babcock Lodge #322, Highland Springs VA, and is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, PGM – CA. Brother Newton was a prolific Masonic writer whose work includes many early Short Talk Bulletin, as well as “The Builders,” a seminal Masonic work suitable for all Masons, commonly available in print, ebook, and audible. Here is the story of this remarkable Reverend, Doctor, and brother. Enjoy, and do share this ...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, PGM – CA. This Short Talk was adapted from a pamphlet published by the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Illinois, entitled “What can a Mason tell a non-Mason about Masonry? Enjoy, and please do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge, and this one especially with any non-Masons who are interested.

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Carl H. Claudy and first published in December 1926. Here we find an imaginative tale of the WM of a small country Lodge, who is dissatisfied with the seeming unimportance of his Lodge in the community, and the testimonies of community members who think otherwise. 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, Past Executive Secretary of the MSANA, and is brought to us by Bro Matt Bowers, of Mt Ararat Lodge #44 and host of the Scottish Rite Journal Podcast. Fellowcraft Masons remember from the Winding Stairs lecture the placement of the Globes atop the pillars of Joachin and Boaz, but how did these symbols enter into Masonry? Here we have an excellent discussion, and in this season of Thanksgiving, let us all remembe...

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by MW Bro Conrad Hahn and first published in January 1964. The assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963 was a national tragedy that stunned the world. We mourned. Here we find a stirring acknowledgement of our role as Masons: to pick ourselves up and get to work. It seems that these words might have some moment for us today. 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, Past Executive Secretary of the Masonic Service Association of North America, and is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, Past Grand Master of California. Here, we find a discussion of the Master Masons of old, and the training and experience that truly earned the title of “Master Mason”. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.